I recentely moved to a different state and got a new job. Well this seems all fine and dandy, but after the classroom orentation I find out that all transport to the hospital will be with lights and sirens on. That's right every patient you transport from someone with a STEMI to a stubbed toe they are to be taken to the ED with lights and sirens on. The answer I have gotten for this is that their auto insurance says this is the safest way to transport patients since this is an emergancy service. Everyone seems to think this is perfectely normal. This is the first time I had ever heard of anything like this. Has anyone else heard of anything like this? It makes me think that we are veiwed as just drivers and have to get the patient to the ED as fast as possible because we are incabable of helpping them.
Lights and sirens on all transports
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NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
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This topic comes up every few weeks. Most of us here feel that lights and siren transport is simply additional risk that is not necessary. You can always google some research and present it to your bosses, but if that's the way they want it... And you're the new guy, my best advice is "wear your seatbelt and hold on."
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
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what place is this?
Summit
Critical Crazy
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Actuaries are not typically stupid. I doubt this directive came from insurance.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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Lights and sirens and drive the speed limit, or lower as conditions dictate. OK with me. Loud rap music might do the same.
I assume it's a private company? It's probably an excuse to make you guys clear faster to move on to the next call which = more money... but yeah along the lines of Mycrofft, just cause you got L&S doesn't mean you have to go 20 over! drive slow and stop at/clear every intersection!
Well it is a public company that only does emergancies. No hospital to hospital transfers or much nursing home stuff. I am very careful when driving, but as always lights and sirens make everyone else on the road stupid. I would just hope that EMS systems would get past things like this and adopt better practices. We are told the same thing just because they're on doesn't mean you have to drive faster, but I think it deffinatly gives a bad impression to the patient and the public that we are not able to handle this situation. I had never even heard of anybody doing this. I had always been cautioned to only use them when you really need to because of the added danger.
JPINFV
Gadfly
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Is this Boston EMS?
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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But...but...but...it's an Emergency Vehicle, so you ALWAYS have to! 
Yeah, I hear you, pun unintended. Driving slowly through town with lights and sirens on will soon bring a backlash to quit it. Look up statistics and write to EVOC people to back up your stand when the boss wants to throw it on you to drive faster.
Yeah, I hear you, pun unintended. Driving slowly through town with lights and sirens on will soon bring a backlash to quit it. Look up statistics and write to EVOC people to back up your stand when the boss wants to throw it on you to drive faster.
The odd thing is we do drive through a large metro area of about 350k including the suburbs, and it just doesn't seem to be a problem. We service the county areas outside the city limits. I think there are a few other services around here that do the same thing, but not everyone does it.
This is most likely Los Angeles County. Every time they transport with a medic they go L&S. Ridiculous
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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Last time I lived there* (1975) LA County had a few more than 650,000 people.
*And I DO mean "last".
*And I DO mean "last".
Lights & Sirens
I worked at Americare and they followed this policy when I was there way back when! Needless to say I think the DOT rules should be followed! Not every Pt. needs to go Code 3! As much as a rush it is to roll code our Pt. needs us to do what is right for them! Not the company!
I worked at Americare and they followed this policy when I was there way back when! Needless to say I think the DOT rules should be followed! Not every Pt. needs to go Code 3! As much as a rush it is to roll code our Pt. needs us to do what is right for them! Not the company!
wanderingmedic
RN, Paramedic
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sounds like a company that is run by an overzealous new EMT
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
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Can you PM me the name of this place for avoidance in the future?
Trashtruck
Forum Captain
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I find this so hard to believe(I do believe you though, OP)
It's absolutely one of the most asinine policies I've heard of in regards to lights and siren use.
I'd like to hear more about this policy, the employer, and where this indiscriminate use of L/S came from.
It's absolutely one of the most asinine policies I've heard of in regards to lights and siren use.
I'd like to hear more about this policy, the employer, and where this indiscriminate use of L/S came from.
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That was my guess.
There's a place for lights and sirens, not going to start that argument though. Every transport is ridiculous. Bet that's a noisy city :lol:
WolfmanHarris
Forum Asst. Chief
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I thought Boston had a good reputation. Do they transport everyone L&S?
JPINFV
Gadfly
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...yes... and their driving is atrocious. Watching them push a line of 4-5 cars into an intersection against a red was the rule, not the exception for the 2 years I lived in Boston.