30 PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 2400 AMBULANCE CALLS.
Why is this allowed to continue? In the article it goes on to say that they are going to go out and visit the top offenders and 'work with them gently to curb the inappropriate calls.'
C'mon. If someone calls an ambulance over 100 times in one year, do you really think they are going to listen? When did we become the nation that can't say no. I'm sorry but unless you are paying the bill and you don't have an emergency then the EMS crew should be able to tell you no. And if you persist then the legal system should become involved.
A lot of the chronic ambulance abuses are the habitual drunks that pass out in public. They cost you BILLIONS of dollars every year. If you can't control yourself to this degree then you should be institutionalized until you can.
We need to get back the ability to say no.
h/t Kevin
Saturday, March 29, 2008
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8 comments:
That's funny, I think it is those same 30 people that fill up our ER each shift. It is remarkable how many of my patients coming in to the ER could write biographies of the EMTs who bring them in because they have spent so much time together.
Then, of course, they feel better 20 minutes later and want to go home.
-Braden-
20 out of 10 Blog
I've had people call the ambulance because the hospital is close to where they want to go. When they arrive in the ER, they just sign out AMA and go on their merry way. Free Taxi service!
Well, it is in DC - Leech capitol of the country.
The are only extending professional courtesy to their fellow leeches.
Thats insane, why can't the EMT's just refuse to transport? Ultimately its the transport services that loose out on the money and get stuck with the bill. If there is no medical problem then they should be refused transport. I know there are legal problems and what if the person does get worse for some unforeseen reason then the system is responsible. Why doesn't medicaid crack down on this? Many of the abusers are government assistance recipients! Bust them with abuse, fraud, what ever. I agree, are we the society that can't say NO?
In many places EMS may not legally refuse to transport a person requesting transport, no matter how ridiculous or abusive the request.
I agree, I know that the EMS can't refuse transport the way the system is now. Its screwed up in so many ways. It all comes back to the litigous society we live in, sue happy with a sense of entitlement.
Amen! and if THEY were footing the bill, you can bet you arse they would find some other way to the hospital or not go at all (even better in most cases)
Love the disclaimer in your sidebar by the way.
Dawn
meant to add this tidbit: I went to the ER (NOT by ambulance) for complications following surgery and part of my triage work-up included a form that was filled out by the nurse The forms sole purpose was to make the distinction of whether or not my problem was worthy of an ER visit or something that could have been handled through my PCP. So...maybe, just maybe they are trying to put some kind of limits in place that will prevent unneeded visits to the ER. One can hope...right?
Dawn
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