When to use 911

l.rae · Mar 31, 2003

Well, l work ER, we have several crews of all female medics frequent our ER. They are kick-a$$....these women are trained for these situations. But, l don't necessasarily think you did wrong.

RNonsense · Mar 31, 2003

Couldn't you have called the non-emergency number and explained the situation? :)

flashpoint · Mar 31, 2003

As a paramedic, I would have no problem with you calling 911...that is what we we are there for. With an obviously displaced joint and the pain that goes with it, I think you did the right thing! Here the 911 crews have a lot more help and a lot more men with muscles than the private service!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2003

A fx in a large hospice pt may require surgery or at least closed reduction. Not being able to get around would seriously impair QOL - therefore, the pt would need acute care, for possible Xrays, and stabilization of the fracture - 911 would be the acceptable call to make.

RNonsense · Mar 31, 2003

Maybe in Canada it's different...911 here gets you an ambulance, fire, police together...

Non-emerg ambulance number gets you whatever you need.

flashpoint · Mar 31, 2003

911 here sends ambulance, fire, and police too, but that is our job...it's what we do. We have a private service that does transports and intercepts with 911 if needed, but it's EXPENSIVE to use the private guys. The only time I call for an intercept with the private service is when we need extra medics. I would much rather have people call 911 and not really need to (unless it is grossly obvious that 911 was not needed) than NOT call 911 and wish they had.

kaycee · Mar 31, 2003

I think 911 was appropriate. More so that a lot of things I see that number used for in the ER.

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2003

It's what I would have done. (call 911)

RNonsense · Mar 31, 2003

Originally posted by cotjockey
911 here sends ambulance, fire, and police too, but that is our job...it's what we do. We have a private service that does transports and intercepts with 911 if needed, but it's EXPENSIVE to use the private guys.

OK...ours isn't private. It's all under BC ambulance service and the call goes straight thru to them rather than the 911 e-comm center. Our guidelines state this...

911 is the telephone number to use when police, fire or emergency medical assistance is needed in an emergency situation.

Dial 911 for:

crimes in progress

life threatening situations

fires

motor vehicle accidents or major traffic and street obstructions

injuries requiring emergency medical attention

hazardous chemical spills

fire, smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarms that are sounding

sparking electrical hazards

smoke in a building

or any other emergency

I'll be quiet now. Didn't realize guidelines weren't the same everywhere...

(and my hubby is a dispatcher!)

inodou · Apr 27, 2003

I am a 911 dispatcher, I think calling 911 was the right thing to do. Here where I work calling 911 or the non emergency numbers both ring into the same place, so it doesn't really matter which number you call you get the same results.

inodou · Apr 27, 2003

I am a 911 dispatcher, I think calling 911 was the right thing to do. Here where I work calling 911 or the non emergency numbers both ring into the same place, so it doesn't really matter which number you call you get the same results.