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>>In addition, I have never seen a paramedic or EMT
take an NICU assignment in a hospital.<< Well, you will probably
never see an EMT-B taking a NICU assignment, I am fairly
certain.
Although the debate has
changed somewhat, allow me to stir the hornet's nest a little
more.
In my opinion, there is
a fair amount of turf protection/defense by nurses, particularly at
hospitals. For example, in my city there are several hospitals that
have fought tooth and nail to keep EMT-Paramedics out of their Emergency
Department as employees. If they are employed they are delegated to
orderly duties and if they are lucky will be allowed to do 12 lead ECGs for the
nursing staff, but they are not allowed to act up to their scope of practice.
When I lived in Portland, Oregon, however, paramedics were utilized in
the ED triage or in the ED itself acting as a skills position on the trauma
team , doing everything, if not more than an RN. In my facility I
can insert chest tubes, intubate, push all the meds etc. Can all of
the non-flight nurses do the same? No.
No, I am not raising
the who's-better debate again. My point is, the reason you may not see a
paramedic in the NICU or any other unit in a hospital may be in part to
turf protection. I am fairly certain a motivated paramedic could
retain NICU theory as well as another provider.
But, I could be
wrong.
Eric E. Kincaid,
CCEMT-P
Boise, ID
USA
PS-I have the utmost
respect for NICU staff and nurses in general, so please save your
attacks...
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