I didn't know this actually happened

bethin · Oct 12, 2006

While it most likely didn't justify a 911 call, the reality is that far less emergent patients arrive by ambulance in emergency rooms every day.
Examples I've encountered: Patients with jammed fingers, little kids with colds, people who have had a cough for two weeks. It can really boggle the mind.

Calling 911 for a jammed finger????? :banghead:

When my grandpa had his fatal heart attack, my mom called 911. She was told all ambulances were busy and it would be 90 minutes. It's a 20 minute drive, so she drove him to the emergency room. Got reamed by the nurses for doing so, but how could she wait 90 mins and watch him painfully die? I have never forgiven the nurses for screaming at her while her father lay dying on a cot. And to think, one of those ambulances could have been picking up a kid with a jammed finger.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

It's easy to say someone has been educated in theory and knows what you should and shouldn't do, but when it actually happens to you good sense may take a leap out the window.

I had a prof who used to say, 'An emergency is something out of the ordinary that happens to you.'

Miss Chybil RN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

I had a prof who used to say, 'An emergency is something out of the ordinary that happens to you.'

I like that. I've never had to call 911, thank God, but I will if I feel it's a situation I can't handle.

Bethin - Ambulances too busy is not an option. Where were the cops, or firemen trained in CPR. And, nurses yelling at a woman for bringing her dying husband into the ER? That's not an option, either. It's BS.

Everything is relative. Everybody sees things through their own two eyes. If a person thinks they are having an emergency, they are having an emergency. Granted some people aren't very smart. Some people aren't smart enough to know they should be calling 911 and they don't. I'm sure it evens out karmically somewhere.

I'm not a nurse, yet, but I've been around the block a few times. When I am a nurse, I plan to focus on fixing up my patients and sending them on their way with as little judgement over their circumstances as possible. I'm assuming nursing will be stressful enough in it's own right without having to worry about why this, or that, patient didn't follow the protocol I've set up in my own head for what they really should have done in their situation, or comparing them to what other people usually do.

Should'ves are a waste of time and brain space. Deal with the reality and move on to the next one.

texas_lvn · Oct 12, 2006

I
I'm not a nurse, yet, but I've been around the block a few times. When I am a nurse, I plan to focus on fixing up my patients and sending them on their way with as little judgement over their circumstances as possible. I'm assuming nursing will be stressful enough in it's own right without having to worry about why this, or that, patient didn't follow the protocol I've set up in my own head for what they really should have done in their situation, or comparing them to what other people usually do.
Should'ves are a waste of time and brain space. Deal with the reality and move on to the next one.

I think this is pretty much a vent post, not a judgemental post. Come on, we have all seen/done stupid stuff, and there is always someone there to laugh about it. Besides, are you not judging us for not handling the situation that you have set up in your head how we should handle it. Talk about calling the kettle black.:trout: And now more venting............

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

If this "abuse" of 911 shocks you - just stick around - the BEST is yet to come (sometimes even with lights and sirens :angryfire )

There were times that I'd (yep, I 'm the medic) would have to really WORK to figure out just who had the 911 emergency. Many times there was no emergency - then I found that public education became my focus.

After too many years of this, I can almost bet that some of the most MEDICALLY sick folks still hit the ED doors via POV.

TRAUMA however, walks in a lot less frequently.

I am fearless.

But, as I do not enjoy the "fixing to push" population - I'll get 'em to OB as fast as possible (even if I have to use the lights and sirens :) )

Oh Yeah, For the RECORD -

If I had a $1 (dollar) for EVERY TIME I rolled an ambo/firetruck/police vehicle, via 911 to a residence where there were - no less than 3 (working) POV's - in the driveway - we could all have this "conversation" in Cabo! And, oh yeah, I rarely found ANYONE sick enough to warrant needing the ONLY paramedic in the COUNTY!!!!!

AggieQT · Oct 12, 2006

wow after reading some of these... but I have to say I had a friend that went to the hospital via ambulance for her first child and was freaked out about her water breaking... she was home alone and her husband/parents at work (she was on bedrest) she called her family and because we live in the houston area (where it can take over 2 hours just to drive across the thing) by the time she reached the hospital her family was just arriving... she lived out past the city limits and each family member commuted over an hour everday... so it would have taken over 2 hours to get home get her and make it to her hospital... i know it wasnt an emergency but she was so freaked out she didnt know what to do... and im sorry to say this but some of you sound "hardened" to the emotions of a first time mother due to other people abusing the system for real... i am guilty of it too so i am in no way saying tisk tisk but after reading this post it really made me take a step back and look at how i am so quick to judge pts and catagorize them without knowing any situational details... all i know is i would have hated to be my friend and know nurses were thinking of me in a bad way for taking an ambulance... especially if i didnt know anything about the birthing process... thats just my 2cents anyways...

allnurses Guide · Oct 12, 2006

Well, for the record, I did kinda step back and think twice about what the situation MIGHT have been, after I made my initial post... which I will admit in hindsight, was kinda judgemental and harsh. Still I'm wondering though... did she call any of her family first? If so, did anyone even offer to come get her right away? Why did they follow right behind her into the ER? Did not ANY of them know that water breaking really, usually, isn't an emergency requiring an ambulance? Apparently not, to all of the above.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 12, 2006

Sure, if it happened one time that an ambulance gets called out for a non emergency we'd all assume someone was really scared, or noone was available. But the OP was talking about several times in one day. As an ER nurse I'd call it several times in one hour. When the ambulance shows up with a patient smiling, and family have been in the waiting room for ten minutes giving us flack because they aren't let in immediately, then maybe frustration rises, and it's time for a vent.

If anyone out there is perfect, a vent thread is the time to give the rest of us a break.

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

first baby I had was in my bed because my water broke and I had the girl within 10 minutes of my water breaking.

2nd one I had in the back of an ambulance, same thing. 3rd I had in the hall of the of L and D after the doc ruptured the membrane hoping he could control it.

So, no I don't think it was unusual, And I assure you there was no drama queen any where around me. Just the old fart I am still married to

BSNtobe2009 · Oct 12, 2006

I don't know how the 911 center is in other places, but 911 around Charlotte, NC is used for everything from reporting a minor fender bender to reporting traffic problems. If you try to call the police department's non-emergency number, fully expect to be on hold for 20 to 30 minutes, and that still might not even get you a warm speaking body on the phone.

I am wondering if the woman was in so much pain when her water broke that she felt she couldn't drive or reach someone...if that was the case, I would call too.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

I would call 911 if my water broke because with my last 3 when my water breaks you have about 1-2 min before baby comes. I dont have to push but once. But let me add here I have always had contractions before my water broke and I am usually at the hospital anyway.

stellasmommy · Oct 12, 2006

As a former 911 operator, I am not surprised. People have called to ask for directions and phone numbers!