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David W Powers

Publications and source records attributed to David W Powers.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Stings and bites: what to do about envenomation injuries.

Although serious envenomation injuries are rare in the United States, all emergency workers should be prepared for them. Most severe complications occur in people with previous allergies or pre-existing conditions. Many people, especially those with prediagnosed allergies, will be capable of self-treatment prior to EMS's arrival; however, prepare for the worst. EMS personnel should know how to treat virtually any envenomation injuries with general practices, and should inform the receiving hospital so venom-specific treatment can be prepared. Crews should also know what creatures are indigenous to their areas and know what to expect when the tones go off. Be aware that a side effect of any animal bite or sting, whether venomous or not, is bacterial infection. Remind patients of this. The hospital physician will also educate them about infection. If you respond to a call but the patient refuses transport and signs a waiver, you must educate him about possible bacterial contamination from the bite or sting. Never waive a patient until he has been educated regarding his injury and still refuses transport.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Medic on the green.

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Emergency Medical Technicians↗
PubMed2004

A bad way to end a vacation.

Although EMS units are frequently sent to calls that differ from their radio description, the fault for this does not necessarily lie with the dispatcher. The dispatcher can only relay information given over the phone, which is often a frantic, indecipherable description of an event. Dispatchers should be careful to avoid a premature diagnosis based on that information. They should relate only a chief complaint, event or presenting symptoms to crews. A description of anaphylaxis as a chief complaint should instead be given as "respiratory problems following a jellyfish sting." Once given a proper description, an astute EMS crew can begin a mental and verbal process of differential diagnoses on the way to the call. This will allow the crew to prepare for patient contact and avoid any tunnel vision caused by the dispatcher. Both crews in this situation performed admirably despite the darkened beach crowded with teenagers. They treated the presenting symptoms rather than focusing on the jellyfish sting and a possible anaphylaxis. An anaphylactic incident caused by a jellyfish sting is rare. The diagnosis at the hospital was an asthmatic attack induced by the anxiety of the sting. Ultimately, the sting only played a small part in the larger incident.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Changing attitudes.

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Attitude of Health Personnel↗