Frankie Medic

In Arkansas paramedics can refuse transport, that does not mean we refused care. A RN or DON will not decide if I will transport or not, I make that choice. With that being said, if I am called out to a pts house or nursing home, I usually haul the pt. unless they(the Pt) refuses transport. I get paid to take care of people, and to get them to the hospital. It is the same amount of paper work either way. It is easier to explain why I transported someone who wanted to go to the hospital, then it is to explain why I didn't. I don't worry about pissing off Drs. or ERs. They too get paid to take care of people, even if it is only to examine someone assure them nothing is wrong and send them back home. If was not for the needs of our Pts. of all degree of emergency we would not have a job. We have a medic that tries to do a no transport on every person he comes in contact with. I have ran calls on more then one occasion, behind him (on Pts. he has no hauled) that turned out to be a code situation when I got there. I don't know about you, but I hope no one has to pick up after me like that!!!!

I have to agree with EMS49393 that it all starts with a good foundation and knowalage of A&P. then sit down with a seasoned medic in your service and have show you strips from past runs and show you why they interpit them the way they do. if needed get several opinions on strips. there is a book out there by Gail Walraven. I hated it during Medic school but looking back now it was a great help.