PITA patients

njff/emt

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Everyone has their fair share of these types of pts., So let me hear what you got, vent your frustrations to me instead of doing what your thinking next time you see your "favorite" pt.,

I'll break the ice, afew weeks ago, i had this pt at the jail, c/c asthma attack, pulled up same time as medics(we came straight from hospital), medics listens to their lungs and says they're clear., Thats when the pt started a performance that was emmy worthy., Let's see, dry heaving, trying to fake SOB, the works., We release medics, we were suppose to have a police escort but couldn't cause of short staff, so away we go., This one decides to get on the phone with their friend and starts the conversation normal then starts up again(we have them on nasal at 2 if anyone is wonderin), i make them hang up., The cell goes off, i answer, explain the situation and put the phone in my pocket., We get to the ER, i give my report while my crew transfers the pt and one of the RNs notices the pt right off the bat., Apparently we were their ride to score some dope, and this one pulls this stunt all the time., So i handed the phone the the RN, signed over care, and went off to our next wonderful adventure.
 

abckidsmom

Dances with Patients
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I wish. I hate the you-call-we-haul mentality.

I hate medics who arrive on every scene trying to figure out a way to avoid transporting the patient even more. For that reason, I'm a big proponent of the you-call-we-haul mentality. Lazy, stupid medics make stupid decisions out of the "you don't need to go to the hospital" mentality.
 

katgrl2003

Forum Asst. Chief
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I hate medics who arrive on every scene trying to figure out a way to avoid transporting the patient even more. For that reason, I'm a big proponent of the you-call-we-haul mentality. Lazy, stupid medics make stupid decisions out of the "you don't need to go to the hospital" mentality.

Sooo, basically you're saying all medics are stupid, and can't figure out what's wrong with our patients. That all we are good for is a glorified taxi with lights and sirens.

You wouldn't be upset with the 3 am call to a residence for a patient with a stubbed toe? With 3 cars in the driveway, and several other people there that could drive the patient to the ER?

All the you-call-we-haul mentality does is take ambulances out of service that could be used for other runs.
 

abckidsmom

Dances with Patients
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Sooo, basically you're saying all medics are stupid, and can't figure out what's wrong with our patients. That all we are good for is a glorified taxi with lights and sirens.

You wouldn't be upset with the 3 am call to a residence for a patient with a stubbed toe? With 3 cars in the driveway, and several other people there that could drive the patient to the ER?

All the you-call-we-haul mentality does is take ambulances out of service that could be used for other runs.

I didn't say that all medics are lazy and stupid, just that the mistakes made by the lazy and stupid ones have a profound impact.


The bolded statement is the one that gets me. When a medic is with a patient, it's THAT patient that deserves the best decision making. The system leadership need to make decisions for the system, not the medics on the scene. I get you on the toe pain at 3 am, it's a PITA to go on these calls. That doesn't change the fact that the patient does indeed deserve respectful medical care, regardless of their complaint.

If you (general you) run each call thinking that it's not serious enough to need an ambulance, this is BS I could be back in service by now, whatever, you're (again, general you) doing the patients a disservice. We're not here for the guts and glory, but to provide on-scene care in a respectful manner for every person who calls.
 

katgrl2003

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When a medic is with a patient, it's THAT patient that deserves the best decision making. The system leadership need to make decisions for the system, not the medics on the scene. I get you on the toe pain at 3 am, it's a PITA to go on these calls. That doesn't change the fact that the patient does indeed deserve respectful medical care, regardless of their complaint.

If you (general you) run each call thinking that it's not serious enough to need an ambulance, this is BS I could be back in service by now, whatever, you're (again, general you) doing the patients a disservice. We're not here for the guts and glory, but to provide on-scene care in a respectful manner for every person who calls.

I'm gonna take this one statement at a time. I agree that each patient deserves our attention during the run, but why do you say the medics on scene shouldn't be making decisions? Isn't that what we do everyday when deciding treatment options?

Where did I say that I was disrespectful to the patients? All I'm saying is there are patients that call 911 that don't need to go by ambulance. If they don't need an ambulance and have other options to get to the ER, why shouldn't we encourage them to use it?
 
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njff/emt

njff/emt

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ok that's it, enough is enough, i created this thread to vent your frustrations about annoying pts, not to start with each other, granted everyone is entitled to their opinions but this word war is gonna end immediately, now hug and make up
 

FLEMTP

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The biggest PITA for me is when, during the H&P, the patient gives me their version of events, signs, & symptoms... then when we get to the ER, the entire story changes, or, they all of a sudden throw out "well, i've been having this chest pain for 6 hours" but they called you and told you it was something completely unrelated.. like a headache.


I also very much get frustrated with the "McDonalds" medicine mentality...

(i'll have an EKG, with a side of phenergan, with a transport to XYZ hospital, and I want it NOW)

when you show up on a call for an 80 yo female "sick person" and the children are there DEMANDING you take their mother to a facility an hour away because the more appropriate facility served overcooked meat last time they were there, and they WILL NOT have their mother eating overcooked meat... and then they proceed to tell you how to treat their mother ... and really they have no place to because their medical education was obtained via the "Google School of Medicine"


Those are my main 2 frustrations. Fortunately.. im tactful enough most times to remedy the situation without much pain or suffering on any of the persons involved B)
 
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njff/emt

njff/emt

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flemtp i hear where ur coming from, we had a call for diff breather, we get on scene and this ones puttin on an almost convincing performance., she's faking syncope, and SOB., i really couldnt get a good bp because she was "fainting", and grabbing her L arm in the process., my partner gets behind to support her so i can finally get vitals., came out 132/100, pulse was in the 140's., as soon as she heard that she said its normally 70/?, oh and she doesn't take any meds., we cancel medics, get her on the stairchair and get her to the cot., we load n go, put her on O2., we get to the hospital of her choice, and try to get her to slide over to the bed(the performance is still goin), my partner finally raises her voice and the pt makes some progress and moves over without a problem., even worse was we had another call pending, it was a full moon, and we ended up getting 13 calls all back to back.
 

exodus

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Uhm... Why the hell did you cancel medics with a patient that tachy? For all you know they can be having fits of SVT or V-Tach and passing out...
 

reaper

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Because the EMT's knew they were faking the whole thing! ;) Geez, didn't you know that!
 

abckidsmom

Dances with Patients
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flemtp i hear where ur coming from, we had a call for diff breather, we get on scene and this ones puttin on an almost convincing performance., she's faking syncope, and SOB., i really couldnt get a good bp because she was "fainting", and grabbing her L arm in the process., my partner gets behind to support her so i can finally get vitals., came out 132/100, pulse was in the 140's., as soon as she heard that she said its normally 70/?, oh and she doesn't take any meds., we cancel medics, get her on the stairchair and get her to the cot., we load n go, put her on O2., we get to the hospital of her choice, and try to get her to slide over to the bed(the performance is still goin), my partner finally raises her voice and the pt makes some progress and moves over without a problem., even worse was we had another call pending, it was a full moon, and we ended up getting 13 calls all back to back.

Like I was saying....:rolleyes:
 

jjesusfreak01

Forum Deputy Chief
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Patient yesterday...

Call to store across street from hospital, c/o back pain 10/10, patient had just left waiting room because he had been waiting too long. When medic offered help getting up and walking to truck, he hops up and walks himself, no severe apparent pain. When we arrive at the hospital a minute later, we walk him in the front door as they are calling his name to be seen. Nurse finds out what he did and sends him to the back of the line. Medics called BS as soon as the call came out. Medics have an unusually good BS meter.
 
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CAOX3

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Sooo, basically you're saying all medics are stupid, and can't figure out what's wrong with our patients. That all we are good for is a glorified taxi with lights and sirens.

You wouldn't be upset with the 3 am call to a residence for a patient with a stubbed toe? With 3 cars in the driveway, and several other people there that could drive the patient to the ER?

All the you-call-we-haul mentality does is take ambulances out of service that could be used for other runs.


Incompetency emcompasses all levels, it isnt just medics, and yes due to the action of a few these rules have been implemented.

And your in EMS get used to it, you will never completely remove abuse of the system and thats fine I would rather transport a few late night stub toes to ensure that the people who truly need assistance recieve it, rahter then instituting check lists or flow sheets to follow when you believe your having an emergency. That will discourage the sick from calling because they dont think they fit the criteria and will just die in their homes.
 
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FLEMTP

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Incompetency emcompasses all levels, it isnt just medics, and yes due to the action of a few these rules have been implemented.

And your in EMS get used to it, you will never completely remove abuse of the system and thats fine I would rather transport a few late night stub toes to ensure that the people who truly need assistance recieve it, rahter then instituting check lists or flow sheets to follow when you believe your having an emergency. That will discourage the sick from calling because they dont think they fit the criteria and will just die in their homes.



Personally I feel that all PCR's should have a box at the top to be able to check if it is a NON-Emergency or an Emergency.. that way the BS calls that are clearly abuse can be denied by health insurance companies, and then we should have the right to demand payment prior to or immediately after service. Thats in a perfect world, where all paramedics have a clue, instead of a select few :rolleyes:
 

CAOX3

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Personally I feel that all PCR's should have a box at the top to be able to check if it is a NON-Emergency or an Emergency.. that way the BS calls that are clearly abuse can be denied by health insurance companies, and then we should have the right to demand payment prior to or immediately after service. Thats in a perfect world, where all paramedics have a clue, instead of a select few :rolleyes:

I like that idea, if nothing else you could track the abusers.
 

WVEmt

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Incompetency emcompasses all levels, it isnt just medics, and yes due to the action of a few these rules have been implemented.

And your in EMS get used to it, you will never completely remove abuse of the system and thats fine I would rather transport a few late night stub toes to ensure that the people who truly need assistance recieve it, rahter then instituting check lists or flow sheets to follow when you believe your having an emergency. That will discourage the sick from calling because they dont think they fit the criteria and will just die in their homes.

maybe its just my area or maybe its like this everywhere, but the you call we haul policy seems to keep some of us in a job. unless its a really annoying pt, i really dont mind the bs calls, as long as my truck isnt tied up from something more important. gotta earn that paycheck somehow. lol.
 
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