Who provides the Med Kit?

[Greenboy69]

Hi All,

I was just wondering on jobs if the Medic is required to supply their own Med Kit or if the company usually provides them. Also what about Meds, are they purchased in country?

 

[Scartissue]

Most companies provide them and as for medicines they are usually part of the package. Sometimes you maybe asked to source drugs and kit if your the sole medic and you have no higher medical manager, however you have to be really careful of laws as they are very different with a lot of countries concerning purchasing, procession and administering.

 

[djcmed]

If you were an emoloyee, then the company should provide. If however you are a sub-contractor then in theory at least, you should provide your own. After all you dont hire a plumber and then lend him your tools to do the job! But of course in the security industry nothing is as it should be when it comes to the medic role. It is a really interesting question and there are many spin off questions that arise out of it, for example; Who should provide the medics with their professional insurances? What would happen if a victim sued someone for malpractice? After all, where does the authority to practice come from? Does it come from the company? If so, does the company have guidelines and procedures such as those in the NHS based on JRCALC? Who in the company provides the authority for practice? Can only really be a doctor! What drugs can be used? If you are an employee then one presumes that the company will provide the items and the authority for their use, however, do they? If a sub-contractor then one presumes that the sub-contractor has in place their own system of clinical governance. There are so many potential pitfalls here for both the medics and the companies it really is a potential minefield. It would be very easy for a victim of an incident find a reason to sue someone.
Just a pause for thought and something to stimulate discussion.

 

[medicgirl]

welcome to the medics minefield! I find that although the most important things are provided I have items that I personally prefer to use and therefore provide and we can all be a bit finnicky about packing our kit the way we like it and so can lay our hands on things without thinking.

 

[Waylander]

As a freelancer I make sure to maintain my own basic kit that I need. All refills and advanced equipment, however, I request from the employer, as well as any medicines I may require due to the legal issues surrounding this. In addition to this you have the point medicgirl made: a lot of folks working within the medic role find certain pieces of kit to suit them (Statpack Golden Hour backpack for me... never leave it XD) so many start to expand their own kits.

 

[ISD]

Most GOOD companies should provide you with medical equipment appropriate to the environment and (just as importantly) your skill set.

The reality with many of even the big hitters is that medical kit is often difficulty to get through customs. As such you may have to beg/borrow/steal from your nearest camps (if available) med centre / med stores. DONT BE GREEDY and don't expect them to act as your sole supply! Equally be wary of locally purchased meds, over 50% of the worlds meds are counterfeit and often supplied by unscrupulous pharmaicists. This is very much the case in developing countries where you will be offered anything from viagra to ketamine over the counter. USE IT AT YOUR PERIL.

If in doubt, hand cary what you can out with you and put your sharps in the hold. Many airlines (including BA & Emirates) will excuse the excess luggage for med supplies (one big sticker usually suffices to highlight whats in there), equally i always travel with a steh in the bag which tends to grease the wheels with customs if needed. "OOOH Dr???" is the usual comment as they wave you through.