Ok well since we're sorta in a lag her on this forum, let me toss out this question to you all?
I have several new employees in my department, one of them a man in his early 50's or so. He is a great worker and so far so good, Twice already he has had an 'episode' where he is gaggin' and moanin' and lookin' like death is on the stoop so i would go up to him and obviously ask if he is ok. So after several sentences of "yea I'm ok... I can make it.. I don't wanna stop and blah blah..." he says, "it feels like I'm having a heart attack".
So let me throw the question out to you all.... What do you do next?
(the above scenario is not based on any factual accounts and is only being use as a training devise to all who read this post)
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
I would ask if he wants to call 911, if "yes" then do so and inform management. Human safety takes precedents over work. Let medics deal with the problem. If "no" wait until he falls over and passes out to call 911. There is nothing you can do until said person is unresponsive, legally, then inform management. There is nothing the medics can do without you, or someone in the general area, having medical power of attorney over said person or without the person's consent.
(I know way too many people that are EMTs I swear.)
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
I would have the guy go sit down for a while. If he gets up and is able to go on then no problem. If he starts to get worse then I would call for an ambulance and then call management.
Have him swallow .325 mgs of aspirin, instruct him to perform the Valsalva maneuver ( tightly clench the abs while doing a long, slow cough---this affects the vagal nerve, which in turn can convert a cardiac disrhythmia). When EMS arrives, make sure they put him on 2 liters of O2 and to be ready with the defibrilator, set for 260 joules.
you tell that slacker to get back to work, what do you think this is meijer or something?
LOL - great response. I'll remember that next time.
But seriously - so ok here is the next part of the scenario.....
He is leaning over the fryer, wincing and huffin' n puffin', lookin' like he just finished running a 26 mile marathon with a cigarette in his mouth the whole time, scraping the crude away. You go over and ask if he is ok and he says i'm fine. I can work through it. i can't afford to lose my job. I don't want to leave and let down the rest of the team. But somewhere along the way he mentions that it feels like he is having a heart attack.
So you ask about calling 911 and getting him medical assistance at that point. He refuses that request. You do the probably the next best thing which is to send him home. The store will survive w/o him. So ok this is twice in 5 or 6 weeks that this has happened with him. if and when it happens for a third time - what do you do? He is relatively new and a pretty good asset to the store except for this. What is wrong with the guy really? is there more to the picture than meets the eye? he has no insurance and isnt in the union yet. I don't think he is faking it and heading home to watch the NBA finals. If he is then damn he needs to head to hollywood and be an actor.
__________________
I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
Have him swallow .325 mgs of aspirin, instruct him to perform the Valsalva maneuver ( tightly clench the abs while doing a long, slow cough---this affects the vagal nerve, which in turn can convert a cardiac disrhythmia). When EMS arrives, make sure they put him on 2 liters of O2 and to be ready with the defibrilator, set for 260 joules.
I spoke to my EMT friends and they had never heard of the Valsalva maneuver, which I find strange as one of them has been at the job for a few years now. Also make sure they aren't alergic to aspirin.
I was also informed to ask the guy if he had a previous history of "heart related illnesses" and if "yes" to call 911, anyway. Then based on the outcome of the EMTs arival and departure (with or without him) you handle any future problems accordingly.
I was told that sometimes if their vitals are bad that they can normally talk a person into going with them even if they are hesetant to at the beginning when help arives.
(if nothing else this thread has helped me to understand emergency situations better)
__________________
Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
you tell that slacker to get back to work, what do you think this is meijer or something?
LOL - great response. I'll remember that next time.
But seriously - so ok here is the next part of the scenario.....
He is leaning over the fryer, wincing and huffin' n puffin', lookin' like he just finished running a 26 mile marathon with a cigarette in his mouth the whole time, scraping the crude away. You go over and ask if he is ok and he says i'm fine. I can work through it. i can't afford to lose my job. I don't want to leave and let down the rest of the team. But somewhere along the way he mentions that it feels like he is having a heart attack.
So you ask about calling 911 and getting him medical assistance at that point. He refuses that request. You do the probably the next best thing which is to send him home. The store will survive w/o him. So ok this is twice in 5 or 6 weeks that this has happened with him. if and when it happens for a third time - what do you do? He is relatively new and a pretty good asset to the store except for this. What is wrong with the guy really? is there more to the picture than meets the eye? he has no insurance and isnt in the union yet. I don't think he is faking it and heading home to watch the NBA finals. If he is then damn he needs to head to hollywood and be an actor.
Call 911, anyway. He can refuse the help all he wants to the EMTs. But, be damned if he could say you didn't try.
__________________
Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
Have him swallow .325 mgs of aspirin, instruct him to perform the Valsalva maneuver ( tightly clench the abs while doing a long, slow cough---this affects the vagal nerve, which in turn can convert a cardiac disrhythmia). When EMS arrives, make sure they put him on 2 liters of O2 and to be ready with the defibrilator, set for 260 joules.
I spoke to my EMT friends and they had never heard of the Valsalva maneuver, which I find strange as one of them has been at the job for a few years now. Also make sure they aren't alergic to aspirin.
I was also informed to ask the guy if he had a previous history of "heart related illnesses" and if "yes" to call 911, anyway. Then based on the outcome of the EMTs arival and departure (with or without him) you handle any future problems accordingly.
I was told that sometimes if their vitals are bad that they can normally talk a person into going with them even if they are hesetant to at the beginning when help arives.
(if nothing else this thread has helped me to understand emergency situations better)
You and your friends can google valsalva maneuver- it's there. Many EMTs are trained for the most basic of field intervention; lots of practices and procedures aren't covered. Things like Babinski reflex may be second nature for an EMT, while I can virtually promise you they know nothing about a tracheotomy. And, in a suspected M.I. situation, be damned if I'm gonna check if the guy has an aspirin alergy----and if it turns out he does, I'll hit him with some epinephrin.
