Band Aid

Sorry, I stand corrected, physician assistant. As far as my attitude. My comment was about the 2am toothache, 2 cars in driveway. I have compassion for all my patients that are ill or injured. I even respond to the "regulars" because sooner or later it may the real. Sorry I have offended all of the grammer experts on this site. I thought this was a place to learn and share experiences. Bless your pea picking hearts.

No I didn't.

Sounds like a problem to place in Medical Controls hands. We have radio and cell phone contact with Medical Control and the ED doctor. We are advised by our OMD (Operational Medical Director) to call whenever we feel the refusal is/may be detrimental to the patient. Also as stated above, law enforcement might be able to encourage the individual to go with you.

Well, not for me. Sorry but for me, toothaches, skin rashes, "ran out of pain meds" should not be the focus of EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. Before you say it, I know a toothache can be a possible sign of a MI. But our patients have them all day and about 2am they can't stand it anymore and they think a trip to the emergency department in an ambulance is the best course of action. If I wanted to be a primary care tech I could have become a nurse, an nurse practitioner or a physicians assistant.

Glad I found this site. I have been a volunteer EMT since 1964, I don't think we were called EMTs though. We were called "Rescue Squad" members. Over the years there have been a lot of changes a lot of good a few bad. I think it is great the way the profession has evolved. Down side is a lot of people look at us as primary care givers. Puts a burden on the service. Woudl be great if the general public would learn what "emergency" means.