Pt sitting on the bench

[broken stretcher]

So what are your opinions on Pt's riding on the bench. I work with a partner who is absolutely dead set against it. He makes every single pt sit on the stretcher and scolds me when i let them sit on the bench and walk into the ER. do you guys allow pt's on the bench and do any of your shops have rules against it? I don't see the big deal...

 

[Tigger]

The stretcher has far better restraint systems than the bench. Even if transporting two patients, I prefer to have the second patient sit in the airway chair, and I will sit on the bench. The hospitals also frown on us walking patients into the ED, though I will certainly walk patients to the ambulance when their condition warrants.

 

[Medic Tim]

Pt will ride on the stretcher unless 1.there isn't a need for them to use it and 2. they refuse to get on it. (usually police will transport if this happens)

It is much safer for the pt and myself. If they want to walk into the er then that is fine as well. I am not going to lift and haul around a pt that is able to do so without worsening their condition.

 

[Arovetli]

Who cares. The majority of my last stint on the truck consisted of me saying "get in and buckle up."
Considering it was in the slamhouse district of a big city, we typically hauled momma and as many kids as she could cram in the truck because she had 1) no car, 2) no one responsible to watch her children, and 3) no damn sense and a medicaid card.

There were 22 hospitals in the metro, i think. Maybe one cared if you walked them in, and that was their problem to deal with. Most hospitals could care less if you called a report or not unless it was critical, and if you did they would try to divert anyways.

 

[Craig Alan Evans]

I think they should always ride on the cot with all restraints including the four point chest harness that everyone seems to like to tuck in behind the head. If they can walk into the ER then why do they need an ambulance. I think that's a big liability there. Either roll them on your cot or use a wheelchair. They are in your care and you are the trained professional that should know better. They are the proud and unclear thinking patient. If they were to trip and fall on the way in and exascerbate their injuries then shame on you.

 

[Aprz]

I think it's an unnecessary liability for you, but I also think it's an unnecessary risk for you to raise/lower the gurney, (un)load them, and draw sheet them over (if you don't have 'em ambulance, stand-and-pivot, and self scoot from the gurney). I pick the lesser of two evils, and I always have 'em go on the gurney. The restraints on the gurney make it way safer, and honestly, I think the gurney is the most comfortable spot to be in the ambulance.

Maybe in the future, we won't have ridiculous lawsuits to worry about, and we'll be able to choose the most efficient way to do things.

 

[Arovetli]

There is no increased liability.

If there were, every patient who set foot in a Hospital would have to be strapped down to a bed, couldn't be in the waiting room, and couldn't go to the bathroom by themselves.

If against policy, of course. If you make someone walk, perhaps. If they want to sit and walk, by all means.

Just more EMS rubbishthinking.

 

[Arovetli]

If they can walk into the ER then why do they need an ambulance.

Thats the whole point.

 

[abckidsmom]

Thats the whole point.

My thoughts exactly.

"Oh no, ma'am...the cot is for people who are SICK."

/thingsirarelysayoutloud

I do usually put those people on the cot though because in the hour it takes to get to the hospital, I want to sit in the chair and play on my phone, not chat.

So that plays into the decision making also.

 

[Arovetli]

I do usually put those people on the cot though because in the hour it takes to get to the hospital, I want to sit in the chair and play on my phone, not chat.

So that plays into the decision making also.

Great point. Nobody gets my seat but me. And also the consideration that if the patient is on the cot, I can be unprofessional and play on my phone. Definitely a top factor in decided where the patient goes.

 

[Aprz]

What I mean by liability is if they get hurt or die on the bench seat in like an ambulance accident. Also likely getting in trouble with a supervisor. If they trip and fall walking into the ER, fall off the bed (and aren't a fall risk), and stuff like that, I don't think it should be blamed on us.

 

[Arovetli]

What I mean by liability is if they get hurt or die on the bench seat in like an ambulance accident. Also likely getting in trouble with a supervisor. If they trip and fall walking into the ER, fall off the bed (and aren't a fall risk), and stuff like that, I don't think it should be blamed on us.

If they are buckled in I don't see it, unless your driver messed up or you forced them there. If they go by their own volition, thats on them. I always offer the choice. As far a sups, if its your policy or protocols, of course. Don't be silly, they sign your checks.

 

[Aprz]

I should research it further just outta curiosity.

 

[abckidsmom]

Great point. Nobody gets my seat but me. And also the consideration that if the patient is on the cot, I can be unprofessional and play on my phone. Definitely a top factor in decided where the patient goes.

I usually focus on epocrates or actual books for learning during those times. Professional development. Absolutely no social media during a patient contact. That's poor form.

 

[NomadicMedic]

I usually focus on epocrates or actual books for learning during those times. Professional development. Absolutely no social media during a patient contact. That's poor form.

Just curious, but how does the patient know if you're on epocrates or Facebook? Using your phone at all during a patient contact, unless you're looking up a medication or drug dose, is poor form.

Occasionally, a patient will show me their medication list and I'll ask them "why do you take that?" When they say they don't know, I offer to look the medication up for them on my phone. It really seems to tickle the little old ladies.

 

[Arovetli]

I usually focus on epocrates or actual books for learning during those times. Professional development. Absolutely no social media during a patient contact. That's poor form.

What? No, I wasn't playing Plague, Inc. I was studying rates of infection across populations...

In all seriousness, yes, anytime the phone comes out it is for work use and I let the pt. know what it is for: call hospital, lookup something, etc.

 

[Aidey]

I 'walk' people on a semi-regular basis. They tend to fall into a couple specific categories. Calm, cooperative psych patients who are physically healthy, people with hand injuries, and people who I am certain are going to triage. For some strange reason the majority of pts I get with hand injuries refuse the gurney. I've had guys with amputated fingers insist on walking. I can't say I blame them, but it is a strange theme.

 

[Aidey]

Just curious, but how does the patient know if you're on epocrates or Facebook? Using your phone at all during a patient contact, unless you're looking up a medication or drug dose, is poor form.

Occasionally, a patient will show me their medication list and I'll ask them "why do you take that?" When they say they don't know, I offer to look the medication up for them on my phone. It really seems to tickle the little old ladies.

I'll generally just tell them what I'm doing. Same thing if I need to call the hospital on my phone.

 

[abckidsmom]

I do that regularly also.

It's an hour to the hospital. I tuck them in, provide the care they need, write my paperwork and there is still 45 minutes to go.

I'm attentive to the patient's needs, but I'm sitting behind them. They can't see me. I hear what you are saying. I am not one who can sit and do nothing, and I'm not going to sit on the bench unnecessarily. If the patient is comfortable, calm and or sleeping, I just keep an eye on them for the ride.

 

[NomadicMedic]

I hear you. I have real short transport times… So I'm not one to talk. Although I will admit, at my last job, on long transports, if the patient was sleeping I would use my phone to goof around.

I also love having my phone to let kids watch videos.