Intoxication at Home, AMS?

[CALEMT]

I love our guidelines at coachella.

Alone: Can you walk and are able to say what you're going to do? - Good to go.

With friends: Do you wake up with a trap pinch and are your friends sober enough / competent enough to take care of you? - Good to go.

Foot patrol X available no medical aid needed. There were some temps that I had that shat bricks when I did that. They had the oh my God what the hell are you doing look in their eyes.

 

[exodus]

3 years ago some temps were all "wtf why you being mean?!?!?" When I yelled at a drunk person to suck it up and to stand up and walk over to the cot.

 

[evantheEMT]

I've had a pt sign a refusal after crashing his car. He admitted to alcohol use and I could smell it but he was A/ox's3. Depending on your state it depends on how to handle this call.

 

[Tigger]

I've had a pt sign a refusal after crashing his car. He admitted to alcohol use and I could smell it but he was A/ox's3. Depending on your state it depends on how to handle this call.

Being able to answer a few orientation questions does not make one capable to refuse necessarily and that is true in all states. Most EMTs are not taught to perform a mental status exam, which is too bad because it's a great way to help you decide if someone is able to refuse further care. And yes, alcohol can play a role in this as well.

 

[evantheEMT]

Being able to answer a few orientation questions does not make one capable to refuse necessarily and that is true in all states. Most EMTs are not taught to perform a mental status exam, which is too bad because it's a great way to help you decide if someone is able to refuse further care. And yes, alcohol can play a role in this as well.

Yes they do

 

[Tigger]

Yes they do

What does? If you seriously think that asking the patient "who is the president?" is good enough, I hope that soon a refusal goes wrong for you and you either get a wake up or your career is ended.

 

[Bullets]

As everyone said, if they didnt request medical treatment then they are not a patient. I also work in a college town and i fight with the campus cops on this all the time. Being intoxicated isnt illegal and isnt a medical emergency, AND i have no way to determine if they are legally intoxicated. If they have a complaint then i will assess and advise. If i feel the patient is competent enough to understand his options for seeking medical care i have no problem leaving him.