911 Update
There are some days where one is almost embarrassed to accept payment for the day’s work. Today was such a day.
- Call #1 A man called 911 complaining of shortness of breath. He met us at the curb, loudly insulted the female first responders and hopped into the back of the ambulance. After making the suggestion that he might want to tone it down a bit, our exam indicated that he was not the least bit dyspnic. However, further questioning did reveal that he had been drinking (BAC .156% at the hospital), suffered from bipolar disorder and had not been taking his medications. He got a rather expensive taxi ride to the hospital.
- Call #2…..there was no Call #2 - or Call #3 for that matter.
The Department was quiet during my 8 hour shift. We fielded only 35 calls during this period.
Well if he had been taking his meds and had been drinking also that might not have been too good either depending on what he was taking.
And why be embarrassed, you are paid to be on call, right? It certainly is work to be at the ready even if you are watching TV or reading a book.
Margaret
3 Mar 09 at 11:00 pm
Margaret, you’re right. This was a guy with a mental illness who was off his meds. He needed transport to a medical facility and a taxi would not have been the way to do it.
I stand corrected.
Duke
4 Mar 09 at 5:26 am