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That Stethoscope! |
A Letter to the JEMS Editor
About January 2003's
Restraint "Hands On:
Tricks of the Trade" Column
Published in March 2003 • Volume 28 • Number 3
In "Straight Shot: Use of Restraints, Part 2" (Tricks of the Trade, January) JEMS, pictures demonstrating the restraint technique discussed in the article show a provider with a stethoscope hanging over his neck – probably not a good idea when dealing with a potentially violent patient because it creates a choke hazard. Additionally, in the hands of a violent individual, it can easily be used as a swinging weapon.
John Pliakas, EMT-P
Boston, Massachusetts
Author Thom Dick replies:
You're absolutely right. I should have spotted it when I set up the photo shoot.
Thanks, John.
CHAS COMMENTS:
Wow. John's hanging-stethoscope personal safety risk comment is absolutely correct. But, wasn't John upset about any other aspect of the article? Even if he only looked at the pictures, what about the pictures featuring the choke-hold?
I am NOT the only care provider on the planet who was appalled by the content of Dick's Restraint Tricks column in January's JEMS. In addition to Emailed comments I've received, when attending the JEMS EMS Today conference in Philadelphia (March 20-22), I had conversations with several individuals who were equally as appalled by it as I am.
However, it seems that not many providers have bothered to write letters about it – YET.
Then, again! Maybe JEMS simply hasn't wanted to publish the letters they've received, containing content complaints and criticisms about Dick's restraint column. We'll never know.
HOWEVER! Rumor has it that there have been so many complaints and criticisms about this column's content, that Thom Dick is finally ready to publish the "retraction" that I asked for back in January!!! And (to be fair), perhaps these complaints and criticisms weren't written in letters. Perhaps they were received via personal contact (like phone calls, or street conversations).
I look forward to seeing whether JEMS "comes clean" in future issues, and publishes any of the letters or Emails they've probably received. I really look forward to reading Dick's retraction, should he write it. [It will be interesting to note whether he writes a retraction primarily focused upon supporting appropriate patient care provision, OR one primarily focused upon supporting an EMS author's "reputation."]
In the mean time, SEND ME YOUR LETTERS! I'll post them, even if JEMS never does.
CHAS
Email Charly at: c-d-miller@neb.rr.com