EMT-B's doing IV's

In our system we usually have more than one medic on a truck to assisst with ALS skills on ALS calls. Sometimes it would be easier to allow the B to do the IV. I personally think it is a skill that a basic should be allowed to do. However maybe as an extra cert? Like PEPP/PALS and ACLS is to medics? What do you guys think?

In alot of areas of the country, EMTs can start IVs as part of their scope of practice. I personally think it should be included as a BLS skill in AZ, however in the Valley, with nearly every Engine company having 2+ medics on each truck, I doubt we will see it as a BLS skill anytime soon. In systems with ambo only response, I think its silly not to have an E that can start IVs especially on MCI calls.

I'm all for it!! It's not such an invasive skill that and EMT can't learn it. I do think it should be an extra cert for EMT-B's though and still be up to the medic on scene if he wants to let the B do it.

From what I hear EMTs are actually expected to do IVs on the reservations....

Admin wrote:In our system we usually have more than one medic on a truck to assisst with ALS skills on ALS calls. Sometimes it would be easier to allow the B to do the IV. I personally think it is a skill that a basic should be allowed to do. However maybe as an extra cert? Like PEPP/PALS and ACLS is to medics? What do you guys think?

I was actually just talking to a friend that is in the EMT-B course, currently in MN. She stated that IV's and IO's are "within a year" going to be incorporated into the EMT-B curriculum. Thought that was kind of interesting!

The only question I would have is how do we control how much fluid is given? what about allowing them to only start hep-locks..I do think there is more to it than just starting the IV. But if you allowed the medic onscene to over see the skill and the EMT worked under his scope, then ya I think it would work. Of course you would have to come up with additional schooling. and CE's

DC