Another Patient Jumps from Ambulance

[ambodriver]

musta saw the bill

[AnthonyM83]

I honestly don't know the statistics. I just know that we get a story posted about it several times a year. It raises some very serious questions, like:

1. Why the Hell are we being used to transport people who need no medical services that we offer? What's wrong with a police car?

2. Do not the cops have both the authority and the responsibility to take these people?

3. Do we not have the right to refuse the cops and/or ERs request to transport them?

4. Why is any medic allowing this to happen without the patient being properly restrained and accompanied?

5. What laws and/or policies are hindering us in dealing with this problem?

6. What lack of laws and/or policies is hindering us in dealing with this problem?

7. Would you personally physically engage a patient to prevent him from taking a dive out of a fast moving ambulance?

Dust, a lot of these psych transfers we get are from ER's to psych hospitals. PD isn't involved at that point. It's left to private businesses (hospitals), who as part of their business, contract out transportation arrangements (private ambulance companies who accept this business). Though interfacility transports are more profitable here, I bet many companies would prefer to make all their money with 911 only. It'd be pretty much impossible to stay afloat and still be a strong company without IFTs. Thus, the psych transfers.

Some of these patients are 100% passive and cooperative. In the system I work in, one must have a good reason to restrain (in the health department's eyes). If they're cooperative all around, that's why medics don't restrain them. For the high number of psych transfers done, very few cause problems. But there are a high number overall, so we keep hearing the stories of transports gone wrong.

There's also a bit un-PC about restraining every single psych transfer, especially the A/O3 who seem completely grateful to be getting the help they need, then being treated like prisoners.

One alternative method might be a partial restraint system. Gurney seat belts that require a key to unlock. The patient could still slip out of them, but it couldn't be done in a split second. This would allow the ambulance time to pull over and eliminate the 65 MPH factor.

Dust, in response to some of the questions posted, as IFT ambulances we end up being part of the health system's transportation system.

[DwayneEMTP]

Nod Spenac,

I just saw that he was autistic. As an autistic he should have had an escort or been sedated. 'Specially seeing as how his mother had skads of violence issues with him. Take him out of his happy place and his ability to cooperated leaves his control. This is a sad situation...

Dwayne

[FireMedic65]

I didn't notice he was autistic either. I need to read more closely. In this case, he should have had an escort such as a parent. There are many different types of autism as well. Depending on which, it would determine a different course of action/treatment.

[joesph]

In our area the use of handcuffs requires the LEO remain with the patient and until recently the use of soft restraints was firmly discouraged. Chemical restraints just ticks the medics off cause 'they got to come all the way out here for this crap'.

Honestly I like the psych patients they are interesting.

Edited March 3, 2010 by joesph

[brentoli]

One alternative method might be a partial restraint system. Gurney seat belts that require a key to unlock. The patient could still slip out of them, but it couldn't be done in a split second. This would allow the ambulance time to pull over and eliminate the 65 MPH factor.

*cue dumb face* Do they make those, or did you just invent it in thought?

[AnthonyM83]

*cue dumb face* Do they make those, or did you just invent it in thought?

As far as I know, no. Just some alternative I thought of. I could go from reclined in gurney to out the doors in under 2 seconds. If it took a little longer to get out of the seatbelt, that'd be good "pull over the ambulance" time. And it wouldn't be quite as insulting/humiliating to willing psych patients.

[brentoli]

As far as I know, no. Just some alternative I thought of. I could go from reclined in gurney to out the doors in under 2 seconds. If it took a little longer to get out of the seatbelt, that'd be good "pull over the ambulance" time. And it wouldn't be quite as insulting/humiliating to willing psych patients.

Patent it Anth. It sounds like a great idea to me. I think it would work that way as well. It would give the provider enough time to get distance and shield from the combative patient.

[spenac]

Patent it Anth. It sounds like a great idea to me. I think it would work that way as well. It would give the provider enough time to get distance and shield from the combative patient.

Actually should patent that. Not a bad idea to use on all patients for Paramedic safety.

[joesph]

Actually should patent that. Not a bad idea to use on all patients for Paramedic safety.

how about a two hand release method if the patient was not aware of it it would reduce the chance he could get it off quickly and you still could manage it fairly fast if need should arise.