Sunday, March 2, 2014

When NOT to call an Ambulance

Emergency health care is no doubt critical for patients but there is another group who are equally affected by it, the emergency medical crew.

EMTs face tremendously stressful situations on a daily basis. And it is worse than any of us can imagine because EMTs are routinely exposed to five unique stressors: high levels of uncertainty, high interpersonal tension, and frequent exposure to human tragedy, extreme fear and a heightened physical response to the sound of an emergency alarm, which basically means that after working so long around emergencies, your body goes into overdrive whenever you hear an alarm.

In such a situation, it’s essential that we realize that ambulance services are to be used only when the situation warrants so as to avoid any hassle to the crew or the patients requiring actual help.

Here are some situations when NOT to use an Ambulance:

1.       Feeling lonely: There are help lines which cater to those who need someone to talk. So keep the ambulance lines free to cater those who really need emergency medical intervention.

2.       Immediate attention from doctors: Rest assured even if you arrive in an ambulance you won’t be given priority unless & until yours is a critical case, therefore do not use ambulances to avoid the long queues at the hospitals.

3.       Over-estimating the situation: Everybody loves their dear ones but that doesn’t necessarily mean slipping on a banana peel and spraining a muscle warrants an ambulance even if it requires medical attention

4.       Helpline services: Ambulance helplines are only for emergency situations. The lines should never be used for help in getting directions, residential complaints or general ranting.


Remember, it is a facility for our well-being. Let’s use it wisely.


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