If an EMT intubated a patient in an ambulance, what would you do if you were told that he was not certified?

Question

If an EMT intubated a patient in an ambulance, what would you do if you were told that he was not certified?

Answer 1

I will start first with saying that EMTs don't intubate. Intubation is an advanced life support skill (ALS) that is used by paramedics and doctors. EMTs use basic life support skills. Second, if a paramedic was working on an ambulance, but their advanced life support certifications had expired than that is also an issue.



If it was an EMT then the EMT could be brought up on both criminal charges as well as civil charges, could loose their license, and go to jail. The same is true for a paramedic who is not currently certified for those ALS skills. If someone acted outside their standard of care then they will probably loose their job, and can be sent to jail, fined, and sued.

Answer 2

It depends on the level of certification the EMT holds. In a couple of states, an EMT-Basic can intubate, in others, the minimum level for intubation is EMT-Intermediate, while in most states, there is no EMT-Intermediate, and the minimum level for intubation is EMT-Paramedic. Also, was the EMT a paramedic student? If the EMT is a paramedic student under the watchful eye of a licensed paramedic, then it's probably OK.

Also, who told you that he wasn't certified? A lot of people aren't familiar with our scope of practice, and they assume that intubation is not a skill that we are allowed to perform. Even nurses and doctors are sometimes surprised to learn just how much we can do in the back of the ambulance!

If he really was operating outside his scope of practice, and he wasn't authorized to perform that intubation i.e. an EMT-Basic, then I'd contact the State Board of EMS, and notify them of that. Even though an EMT-Basic may know how to intubate, they don't always know when or why. If they haven't recieved specific training on intubation, then they shouldn't be performing the skill.

Answer 3

If the person who intubated the pt is an EMT paramedic then he is most likely certified. The protocols differ in various locations and circumstances. If he is an EMT basic then he is not certified unless he is practicing in a military setting. (I am both a civilian and a military EMT). Anyone practicing out of their scope can be subject to disciplinary actions. However the outcome to the pt should guide your decision to pursue the matter further.

Answer 4

i suppose that would depend on who you are, the situation, and the outcome. are you an ER nurse, or a family member, or the patient? what was the situation? would the patient have died if not intubated immediately? what happened? was the patient harmed? i would need to know why the EMT did what he did, and what happened as a result.

Answer 5

How can someone be an EMT, and not be certified to try to save a life enroute to the hospital? But... I guess my answer would depend on if the patient lived or died.

Answer 6

If he is an EMT, he is certified.

Did the person live because of his actions?

Answer 7

most important question to answer is: would the patient have died without the tube?

if you can honestly answer that question, Yes, then a letter of thanks is owed.

if the patient suffered great harm and/or death from the tube and its insertion, then speak up.

Answer 8

Be freakin glad that a life was SAVED.