Kit for an ICU Doc

[Sparky5019]

That's my philosophy as well. There's no Duty to Act in my state once I'm off the clock, and I started realizing a while ago that most people aren't worth losing my livelihood for.

No I totally get it. Me too. It shouldn’t (and didn’t used to) be this way. I hate that as well but signs of the times.

[GTF425]

I hate that as well but signs of the times.

I actually appreciate you, chuckman, and Tanner chiming in on this topic. I think it's a nuanced conversation that highlights some of the interesting consequences of working in medicine.

I will do everything within my scope of practice and training to provide the best patient care possible...at work. I'm constantly training in our sim labs and subscribe to a handful of journals to keep myself up to date. But knowing how litigious that our society is these days, I (regretfully) know that I could get lit up with a civil suit if I make myself part of someone else's problem when I am not required to do so. I don't even wear my company swag anymore when I'm in public because it could force me into the awkward position of being confronted by bystanders with the expectation that I'll do something.

I wish it weren't that way, but it is.

[1168]

In areas with decent Good Samaritan laws, I’d do as much as a reasonable layperson would be expected to do. Which is very little, and never anything invasive. But I rarely stop. I usually keep driving, unless its in a district that I can be put on the clock by calling central. I’ll stop for a military member, also, particularly on a base. Not because of money, but for legal protection. We have lots of first responders here a radio or phone call away.

I don’t usually carry anything that looks like a “first in bag” on my time off. Like most people in emergency or critical care, I’d rather stub my toe on a kettlebell than see patients off the clock.

Ask some medics how much they enjoy random doctors and nurses on their scenes. Especially doctors and nurses wearing dark scrubs on a highway at twilight, with no understanding of danger.

Get a highlighter jacket, for reasons beyond Samaritan stuff. And some eyepro.

[chuckman]

The FAK in my vans is an Adventure Medical Kit, nice blue-and-yellow bag. It's for my family, but also it does not scream "tactical" should I whip it out elsewhere.

I try to never be an "always" or "never" kinda guy. Like everyone else, I am really, really leery of rendering aid for the thought of a lawsuit (seen it happen). But if I see someone laying in the road, or shot at the range, what will I really do? I really hope I don't find myself in a position to find out. Likely, I would do what I could without whipping out tools of the trade: call for help, open the airway, keep them warm, wait, etc. But who knows.

To GTF425's point, I have nothing on my vehicles or clothing that would suggest what I do. I am literally the gray man.

To 1168's point, I hate seeing patients off the clock, and it happens..."hey, you were my nurse/medic/diaper changer when I was in XXXXX...."

[Caduceus]

As an ER doc and former EMT ... I get it, and kind of side with your wife.

IT guys, you don't cruise around town with a few extra pentiums stashed in your truck, do you?

Sometimes work is work, and work isn't home.

And let's be honest, ICU docs are, for the most part, NOT trained in first aid. I'm guessing she's IM residency, ICU fellowship trained? If so, even less likely to know first aid. Where do you hide money from an internist? Under the patient's bandages...

Point is, she's probably exceptional with sick people, but that doesn't translate over to the field. There's no labs, medicines, nurses, radiography, etc, in the field. And finally, she's probably worried about liability. My FAK has dumbed down over the years due to this. Hell, I passed on a sweet airway kit for $60 a few weeks ago, mostly for that reason.

[T2C]

I attended a 2 hour Stop The Bleed class last night at our gun club. The course was free to match directors, board members and any other members who wished to attend.

The instructor had a few items for sale and I purchased a North American Rescue Public Access Bleeding Control kit (80-0466) to supplement my basic vehicle first aid kit. The contents are sealed in a bag that is small enough to hide in the spare tire compartment, console, motorcycle saddlebag, etc. There are enough items in the kit to help control serious bleeding without the kit weighing several pounds.

I understand the concerns of medical professionals rendering aid when not at work due to civil liability, but not rendering aid is not something I would expect most people in their profession to do.

[Rmorris]

I’m a physician. I came upon a wreck once and had nothing. I felt pretty useless. I made a small kit. The more you know, the more you can get away without.
I’ll spare a comprehensive list, but think high grade blow out kit plus boo boo kit. Add a stethoscope. Add aspirin, Benadryl to start treatment for MI, allergic emergency which is far more common. I’d consider nitro and epinephrine, albuterol inhaler next but shelf life… You can improvise splints, tourniquets, temporary bandages easily.
No way I’m not getting involved because of liability concerns. No way I’m sticking around if EMS gets there and can handle it.

[sandsunsurf]

Also check out H&H Medical. They make/distribute the SWAT-T tourniquet. I didn’t love their pre-made kits, but they actually put together a custom kit for me and now it’s a regular stocked item. Good people. I keep one in each car and range bag.

https://buyhandh.com/collections/med...rry-trauma-kit

[chuckman]

Also check out H&H Medical. They make/distribute the SWAT-T tourniquet. I didn’t love their pre-made kits, but they actually put together a custom kit for me and now it’s a regular stocked item. Good people. I keep one in each car and range bag.

https://buyhandh.com/collections/med...rry-trauma-kit

While I am sure the SWAT-T tourniquet is OK for many issues, the 'gold standards' are the TQs approved by the Committee for TCCC. Currently they don't have the SWAT-T on the list. I have used it as a compression bandage, a super-tight "ace"-type wrap over a trauma dressing, for which it worked quite well. I would not use it as an occluding tourniquet for appendage trauma.

That said, I have bought from H&H before and they did OK by me as a vendor.

[sandsunsurf]

While I am sure the SWAT-T tourniquet is OK for many issues, the 'gold standards' are the TQs approved by the Committee for TCCC. Currently they don't have the SWAT-T on the list. I have used it as a compression bandage, a super-tight "ace"-type wrap over a trauma dressing, for which it worked quite well. I would not use it as an occluding tourniquet for appendage trauma.

That said, I have bought from H&H before and they did OK by me as a vendor.

I can’t argue with that. For me, I was looking for a more compact and flexible-in-the-pocket option, and it has the additional uses of stabilizing a splint or just as a compression bandage.

I mentioned the SWAT-T also to give some “cred” to H&H and let the guys here know that they’re a legit business, because most everyone has seen or even owns a SWAT-T.