wilkes

It may be that the patient couldn't decide if they really needed to be transported by ambulance or not. EMS can not refuse to transport but they also can not make someone go that doesn't want to. These men and women do a great job but if someone refuses transport, their hands are tied.

Maybe I should call and ask this myself ? Do I or whomever they've been called to come treat, if they deem a trip to the ER is necessary, can I designate which hospital ? For example WRMC or whatever its name is, or can I make the choice of Hugh Chatham in Elkin, or can they override my choice ? Just wondering

Gosh, sounds like you've had a long day. Good to know there is still good caring ppl out there. Just a hunch but you need to get home and get some rest 😴�'� LOL

this serviice is a RIP OFF $900.00 tp pick my dad up transport to HUGH CHATHAM did pretty much NOTHING

The short version is that it was my patient and I instructed the family to call EMS based on the information I was given over the phone. I was in another county and wouldn't have been able to get to her in a timely manner and there was no other means of transportation for the patient at the time. EMS said they didn't want to take her because it was probably just a COPD exacerbation. They did decide to take the patient finally and I'm glad they did since not going would have been catastrophic. I did ask a friend of mine about the scope of practice for paramedics and she got really upset. I didn't mean to offend her- I just really didn't know. Never heard of them not wanting to transport someone.

PL i was thinking the same thing...... So why call 911 to begin with unless there's a problem or serious problem & have no way of transporting them yourself????...... Yet bm is right, they are highly qualified, & like i said, can get info from a DR if needed almost immediately......

Why would anyone attack you for asking that?

Thanks for the info!!

EMS personnel are highly qualified, educated, certified individuals!! I would say, generally, that they are very qualified to ascertain transport needs!

JR you're above descurvey.....

They'll haul anyone complaining of chest hurting, possible broken bone, breathing problem & so on for about &350 or more to a local Horsepital. Or they'll come check yo blood pressure & other vitals if'in that's all you want. Yet they have direct contact with a medical adviser if needed......

Yes a paramedic is allowed to assess where you need to be transported or not. Its up to you where you accept or reject. and also what decsurvey said above.

If the patient is 18 and over, lucid, and in good mind and refuses transport or medical attention then EMS cannot and will not treat them or make them go. If the patient is DNR and is in process by heart attack or other means then EMS will not attempt resuscitation.

EMS may attempt to reason with someone as to best interest of the person.

do yourself a favor, call them and ask.

Please don't attack me for this but I have a question about EMS services. Are paramedics allowed to assess a patients transport needs? Just wondering if it's in their scope of practice to determine who needs transport to the hospital and who doesn't. Thanks