3 ms·

EMT here. Venous access is mandatory protocol in many emergent cases, such as trauma and cardiac. If they already have hypovolemia, eg bleeding, it's not going

EMT here. Venous access is mandatory protocol in many emergent cases, such as trauma and cardiac. If they already have hypovolemia, eg bleeding, it's not going to get better by itself. Reduced BP, impaired perfusion, or anemia will all end up shorting the brain and heart muscle eventually, so they want to stay ahead of that. Also, if a surgery is expected later, they want an empty stomach because vomiting is not good when inhaled. Another reason is for drug delivery, even if it's just an "saline lock" (no bag, just a port for later) to insert meds. I think oral fluids are great, but only when indicated.

KaiserPro 9y ago
Aye, but then, you're potentially in the shit right? emergency medicine is basically assuming the worst.... an unknown patient, suffering potentially large injuries, its best to get that cannula in right now, before its much, much harder. Its totally prudent to get a line in. What I was talking about was walking in to A&E with a slight cold and a headache, you might get a drip if your totally drunk, but you're going to get a grey needle (the largest one you can get.) and its not going to be comfortable.