Searching Psych Patients

[Just Plain Ruff]

I'd have raised holy h*&*ll that their security said they searched the kid and it was obvious that they did not. I'm sure the conversation went like this

officer "hey, you got anything in your pockets?"

Kid: "why no officer, I sure don't"

Officer to nurse "he's good to go I searched him, now back to my coffee"

I'd have raised holy you know what in regards to the quality search that the officer did.

Bottom line is, no one is watching out for you except yourself. I am glad that it turned out like it did and not the alternative. We never want to read here about another EMS death.

[Guest]

You know what? I would not care if I got fired for searching a pt.....psych or not and the passenger traveling with the pt. There was this one time we were called out to the Casino...I can't remember what for...Diabetic maybe....I was just the driver then and brand new...I had a tech with me...we loaded the pt and transported her with the guy she was with.....The guy was up front in the passengers seat and he had a duffel bag with him. I didn't think anything of it..like I said I was brand new. We arrived at the hospital and we went through security.....only when the passenger tried to go through with his duffel bag..the alarms went off. Next thing I know security is going through his bag and found narcotics along with a hand gun. It was a definite wake up call for me.

[Ace844]

I'd have raised holy h*&*ll that their security said they searched the kid and it was obvious that they did not. I'm sure the conversation went like this

officer "hey, you got anything in your pockets?"

Kid: "why no officer, I sure don't"

Officer to nurse "he's good to go I searched him, now back to my coffee"

I'd have raised holy you know what in regards to the quality search that the officer did.

Bottom line is, no one is watching out for you except yourself. I am glad that it turned out like it did and not the alternative. We never want to read here about another EMS death.

I'll post more here about this call and it'saftermath soon. But, first I'd also like to hear some more from the general population here and see what else you guys add to this as well...

Thanks, Ace844

[Ace844]

You know what? I would not care if I got fired for searching a pt.....psych or not and the passenger traveling with the pt. There was this one time we were called out to the Casino...I can't remember what for...Diabetic maybe....I was just the driver then and brand new...I had a tech with me...we loaded the pt and transported her with the guy she was with.....The guy was up front in the passengers seat and he had a duffel bag with him. I didn't think anything of it..like I said I was brand new. We arrived at the hospital and we went through security.....only when the passenger tried to go through with his duffel bag..the alarms went off. Next thing I know security is going through his bag and found narcotics along with a hand gun. It was a definite wake up call for me.

"Angelkiss,"

I'm glad that the passenger wasn't with you when they found his "extras" in the bag. Also, glad to hear this skell, didn't decide to "show it to you" at an earlier time. Yes, we live and learn in this job and I hope that all of the situations posted in this thread will cause others to think abit more in general and specifically about these issues....Trust me as someone who's been taken "hostage" by an armed, angry, delusional, dangerous ETOH/Psych patient before, this is not an experience that you want to have....!!!!!!!

As far as being fired...Well, I wasn't, well I guess I should say I didn't stay fired for long!! Much to this companies chagrin, they thought I might make it easy for them to cover this up. Needless to say that didn't work. The other issue that is part of the setiment of " You know what? I would not care if I got fired for searching a pt.....psych or not and the passenger traveling with the pt." The problem lies in that at least here, the privates talk amongst themselves at the "state level" Ambulance assn meetings and only tell part of the story to one another. So as soon as word gets out, that you A.) stuck up for yourself B.) This action resulted in a facility complaint, and or got the facility in trouble. You become the equivelent of Persona Non-Grata, in the area and in private EMS here in general. Right, wrong, or indifferent, this is the reality sometimes...

out here,

Ace844

[Guest Beegers]

I transport psychs at work a lot also. 3 main hospitals that we transport from, one being the local trauma center inside one of the worst towns around here (Someone mentioned Paterson in a post) and just because of the area, PD and security always search patients especially EDPs.

The other hospital will not send them out in street clothes. The go in a gown. No ifs ands or buts.

The 3rd has a doctor's order on all transfers to go in 4pt restraints for safety of the crew. the only time I transported out of there without restraints was because the pt was going to a nursing home with no restraint laws.

[Guest]

In NYC protocol for a potentially unstable EDP the police escort us on the ride we do not ride solo with an EDP who is having an incident or recently had one.

[lizard90048]

Has any tried the "puncture resistant" search gloves for searching patients?

Like these:

http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=gen...amp;style=GL168

I'm wondering if they're worth the price and trouble. Or if they even work.

-Lizard in Los Angeles

[Ace844]

Come on guys.....This post was viewed over 900+ X's and there was ONLY 19 VOTES!!!???? Let's increase the sample abit and see if in our own little group of "working" providers if we as a "group" actually feel whether this and other "professional advancement type topics" are worthy of our time and attention or not.....

[emt-b_wa]

i try to search all psych pts for simple sceen saftey i dont want to be in the back of a confined space and this guy decides to kill him self and try to take me with him

[EMT001]

Having not read all of the posts, I am assuming that the last page and a half stems around the argument of whether or not an EMT/Paramedic can search a patient, and whether or not they can be punished for their action. The simple answer, is that you CANNOT LEGALLY put your hands inside of their pockets. Doing so would be a violation of their Constitutional right against an unreasonable search. These individuals are not under arrest, and, therefore, we have no right to place our hands into their pockets. If you suspect that your patient may have weapons, and do not feel safe transporting them, you have two options. First, you can call the police. Like we all know, if the patient is an immediate danger to the safety of themselves or others, we can have the police place them in protective custody. At that point, the police are legally allowed to search the patient. Your second option is to refuse to transport the patient due to safety concerns. At this point you must call your supervisor to handle the issue. Most departments have a contingency for this type of event written into their SOPS, so, depending on your department, you shouldn't fear disciplinary action for your choice. Any other search of an individual is considered illegal, and you would have to face the consequences of that choice.