Methamphetamine
This session is designed to better prepare Prehospital Care Practitioners, Nurses, Physicians Respiratory, X-ray and Lab Technicians to better handle patients who come from the streets to the hospital emergency room after being involved with Methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine (Meth) has created an epidemic in America and has a direct impact on every Hospital Emergency Room in the United States.
A recent hospital study showed that Meth is the top illicit drug showing up at U.S. hospitals and marijuana ranked second. The study also showed that the number of meth patients increased 68% in the last five years, and most were uninsured.
The side effects of meth patients include convulsions, dangerously high body temperature, stoke, cardiac arrhythmia, heart attacks, bone and tooth loss, stomach cramps and shaking. Chronic meth abuse can lead to psychotic behavior including paranoia, hallucinations, rage and violence.
Using a unique power-point presentation we will take a look at the conditions of where EMS normally finds methamphetamine users who need to be transported to the emergency room.
We will briefly discuss how to properly decontaminate a patient coming from a Clandestine Chemical or Meth Lab.