Transporting of Patients.

[Guest guest]

My views on this subject are well known.EMS is a business for private companies

who can schedule who they transport and do 911 emergency transports and/or

transfers.The public sector has the 911 requirement which means we are obligated

to transport citizens who require the service to save lives.Triage and

assessment now have to be paramount skills.We have to know if the patient needs

emergency transport.I seem to see a common thread of triage and patients

assessment lacking in some cases.We can ask the patient who needs to go,to

go.Convincing someone he is seriously ill is a challenge especially when he is

in denial of a serious illneses.(Heart problems).We need to better explain to

patients,and educate them about risks and benefits.Also,explain the consequences

of what can happen.We need to give the the option to call 911 if their situation

worsens.Finally,we need to educate the public about when to call us.Newspaper

articles,public spots.and education in the schools is where it needs to

start.Ultimately,for better or worse the decision remains with the patient who

is concious,alert,oriented and can make a decision when we take to explain to

them what is needed after an adequate assessment.Many people fear going to the

hospital,especially our elderly,who feel that they will not return home,meaning

death or a nursing home.It also means getting others to make arrangements for

their dogs,cats,etc.Sometimes,patients are stable enough to go in a Private

vehicle,to hospital and or clinic. We need to get our ERs to see patients on a

more timely basis(a primary care areaa)which can be a feasible

option.Remember,emergency transports are an area of controversy we need to

adddress. Who goes vs who does not,An asessment must be its cornerstone in

decisionmaking

Rabbiems