EMS-what's their problem?

rn711 · Feb 29, 2004

As the only nurse at our local jail, I have had to call EMS numerous occasions. NEVER have the workers treated me or the inmate with anything but the utmost respect.

In my personal life, I have also had occasion to call EMS for my father who is 76 y/o and diabetic. Once again, the EMS workers treated my family and me with respect and compassion.

I'm sure there are some EMS workers who deserve the "bashing" they have received on this board, but I just wanted to express my appreciation for the EMS workers in Rankin County, Mississippi.

RevBKPrince · Mar 8, 2004

I've never met an EMT that I didn't like. . . we're ALL in the healthcare field, and we ALL have EXTREMELY stressful jobs. . . when I encounter a Nurse, an EMT, a Physician, whatever. . . I always stop and think -- no matter what is said, no matter what attitude I get, don't respond, because they're JUST as upset and frusturated as I am. . . . We all have those days, nights. . . and, although many of them seem to last weeks, we learn to deal with it. Think of your co-workers, and EMTs as patients, treat them with the same respect. . . would you say to a patient -- "I'm getting so tired of this crap -- you're acting like a three year old, grow up and do your job." I surely hope not. . . treat people the way they would like to be treated. . . with respect, it makes our, not at all easy lives. . . a little less difficult.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 8, 2004

I think that I've given them more reason to complain about me than they ever have given me to complain about them. Our EMS crew is outstanding, and will do most anything we, or the patient needs, to get through. Very, VERY rarely will they be anything but professional, and usually it's for good reason. They get a lot of stress in the field, I have to give them a hand.

*applause*

neophyte · Mar 17, 2004

Having been in EMS, I can tell you that is easy to develop an attitude. As a pre-hospital RN I have had nurses refuse to give or receive report from me, because I worked on an ambulance.
Many nurses and other health care workers think of you as "ambulance drivers". Most people never look at your creditals, name badge what ever. Many people refuse you that common courtesy of giving or taking patient reports. Yes, some EMS are ignorant, cockey, or not up to par. The majority though are better educated than you might think, good people who would respond well to common good manners and politeness.
I know we all have bad days. I hope things go better for you.

I used the above quote because I am a Paramedic/RN and have seen both sides of the issue too many times. It took me several months as a young medic to learn to slow down to the pace of non-emergency patients, who require not only careful handling, but an incredible sense of patience. I had never had interactions with the sick or elderly before in my life, other than the occassional meal with a relative. After being called out on a 911 emergency, rolling code three through busy traffic and getting all our equipment up to the floor in the quickest time possible: it was very easy to be overly excited when you find a patient that probably could have gone by cab, had someone been able to go with them. It takes a few minutes to come down from the adrenalin rush it took to arrive quickly and safely. Add to the this the fact that the caregiver, and possibly even the patient are excited/agitated themselves, and you have a recipe for disaster if cooler heads don't prevail. You can tell people this all day, but until your faced with the situation, you are not going to know how you are going to act. It is something newer ambulance staff learn by experience. Perhaps, when you see things are going poorly, a comment such as, "ok, let's all take a breath here. . . . . ", can help everyone calm down and handle a non-emergency as a non-emergency. The more positive interactions you have on non-emergencies, the better things will go when critically timed, life and death patients are involved, you could actually save a life because you interact so well with the next link in the chain of care.

There are many other issues surrounding ambulances and standing healthcare facilities, especially nursing homes. For example, was only over the course of many months of working with a new ambulance service that I found out just how adversly an ambulance rolling up to a nursing home - with lights and sirens blaring - can affect many of the residents of that home. Seeing us in the hallway with a stretcher full of ALS equipment beeping and flashing does not help in the matter either. It can all be very disconcerting to the patients, who fear for their own lives, and those of their friends/neighbors. This in turn probably causes the staff of the facility to have to "calm down" all the patients who have now reached a point of uncomfortable distress. And they are not even the ones going to the hospital. After a time, some of the nursing homes we interacted started asking us NOT to roll up with lights and sirens whenever possible, to shut them down a block or so away. It proved to be a real benifit for all involved. Little issues like this are the grains of sand that keep the wheels of interaction from running smoothly. If you still find yourself having problems with EMS'rs, perhaps you should try and figure out what the problem is, and if you do, have your administrator create a list of things you think would help your staff interact with EMS staff and then send it to the EMS agencies that service your facility. A carefully worded olive branch can go a long way. You've taken the first step by asking the question, and you have plenty of reponses, now its up to you.

Common sense, patience and a willingness to work together may save you from having many bad days, the added benifit being that the person who seems to be ruining your days, is probably having the same problems you are. In the end, you both win. You might not end up with worldwide peace, but it can help bring peace to your world.

MikeLPN · Mar 17, 2004

I really like our EMS people, it's just a relief when they get the cardiac monitor on, IV access, hot-line to the doctor with fast transport to the ER idling outside. So I can make the copies and fill out the forms and give report to the ER and the family and then try to get caught up on the med pass.

Jailhouse RN · Apr 18, 2004

Pamela_g_c , been there, done that and more. I have played in both arenas. No need to lecture. I could go on and on about things that happen and nights in the hospital that a Paramedic couldn't handle. In Corrections nursing you are on both sides of the fence all the time. What is there to say.........Lets all just do our jobs and play nice together

howie122832 · Apr 19, 2004

ANYONE, I repeat, ANYONE who can put a 16g in an A/C in the back of moving vehicle at 3am and going code three, has my vote!

SchoolNurseLisa · Apr 29, 2004

I have worked in the ER and LTC. EMS for the most part was so nice to me in the ER but that was not the case when I worked in LTC, some how EMS asumed I lost most of my brain cells when I took that job, unless the patient was coding I never called EMS without a Dr.'s order, and I certainly never recomended that a pt. be sent. ( I hate all that paper work). Of coorifice I can not just put the blame of rudness on EMS it was the doctors as well.

From the EMS point of view, I can tell you that EMS personel get frustrated when they are called to an LTC to pick up Grandma because she has a decline in condition, she is 98 years old, and a DNR. Or when EMS is there trying to work a code and the charge nurse comes in and tells them to "get the patient out of here!" Or when EMS picks up a patient and can't find anyone to tell them what is going on with the patient, or why EMS was called, they just get a 15 page stack of paperwork shoved at them. Or how about when EMS gets called out at 3 in the morning for an "unresponsive patient" (again a DNR patient.) Or....need I go on?
Just some examples of why EMS staff sometimes "sports a tude"
Pam:)

Nur_1996 · Apr 29, 2004

Hey school nurse Lisa, this is school nurse Marie in sunny FL, I too have seen EMS rude sometimes especially in nursing homes, I still PRN at a ALF, I only call for hip fx or arm, the people are more active there. EMS when they are called to my school, once again, only a few times for emergencies only, they are usually very nice, and good to the kids, and thats what really counts. Have a good Day!! Schools over got to go!!!!!

EMTtoRN · Apr 30, 2004

what is the problem with EMS workers being so rude. I work long term care andwhen we call for an emergency ,they act as if it's such a problem to come help our resident's. The younger they are the cockier they are!!!!I finally had it today""I told the one today ,if he was half as good as he thought he was ,he wouldn't be riding in the back of the ambulance taking orders he would be a doctor giving orders!!!!! oh!!!!they really piss me off some days. Thanks for leeting me vent!

Hehehe well I am an EMT!!! And NO I dont enojoy the 7am calls to the LTC for the lady whose aide did not come quick enough so she complains now of severe foot pain and then asks me if she can have breakfast before we leave :angryfire

BUT I think it all depends on the center. I work in one town where when we get called to their nursing home, NOONE knows anything. The receptionist has no idea an ambulnace was called, we go to the floor and there is NOONE in sight, no one knows nothing and it is FRUSTRATING. They cant get their paper work together and 9/10 the pt's condition has been the same for weeks but there is no COMMUNICATION.

HOWEVER in a nother town we are greated at the front door, EXCORTED by the charge nurse to the pt, are explainined EVERYTHING and there is staff there who knows what is going on.

I apologize if you have had a bad experience with EMS workers, but we are not ALL like that.

pgrsctrn2be · May 11, 2004

I became got into EMS after becoming a nurse and can only speak for the EMS units I work with, I personally will call down my partner if he/she is rude to the staff of LTC or anyone on a scene that is doing their job. Have experienced the rude crews first hand and will not tolerate my partner making me look bad to other nurses while on a call. I work EMS parttime and nursing parttime while going to RN school (finished with class, graduation this week!!!) As an EMS provider I am truly sorry any of my counterparts have treated any of you rudly in the past.