Subaqua Sternal Rubs

4:00AM: Respond to Priority 1-Bravo (with red lights and sirens) for an unknown medical problem. After arriving on scene, we find a 68-year-old woman who is virtually standing at the door waiting and wants "a ride to [furthest hospital we transport to] for a urinary catheter insertion." In what way does this qualify as a medical emergency? Staff at the adult home pleaded with her not to call the ambulance, but request a taxi instead, but then she would have to pay for that. They also suggested a family member could take her in a couple of hours, at a more resonable time of day. In cases of such agregious 911 abuse, we need to either be able to say no, we will not give you a taxi ride, or charge them large fees for taking an emergency vehicle out of service, which may have benefited someone having a true medical emergency.

Other calls of the evening:

1) Cancelled call for a motor vehicle accident (MVA) - found to have no injuries
2) MVA on the interstate involving 3 tractor trailers… only 1 driver complaining of minor head pain where his head hit the headrest - refused transport.
3) 3-year old-febrile seizure transport from Urgent Care Clinic to ED

That's all I can remember… off for my 5 hours of sleep before ED shift.

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