A circumstance arose today which presented us with such a challenge that we weren't sure how we'd all be able to overcome it and make it through the day. Yep, the Internet was down at the station. Now between calls we'd have to do something ELSE. Like read a book or whatever.
Turns out it wasn't going to be an issue as I spent most of the day with calls timed perfectly to allow just enough time between each one to complete my paperwork and be halfway through eating or drinking something. At one point there was a collection of coffee cups in the front of the ambulance that would have made Starbucks proud.
Still, highlights include a 60yom with chest pain. He got the full MONA workup - Morphine, Oxygen, Nitro and Aspirin. Despite the lack of findings on his EKG, I was still worried about him. He was in a lot of pain, but also seemed 'preload sensitive' - which is to say I was afraid to give him too much morphine and drop his blood pressure precipitously.
Next up was a psychotic drug addict who was in treatment but hadn't been dosed today as he managed to fall asleep at the wheel and roll his car on the highway. We didn't get called for the trauma - he'd already made it home by this point after signing out AMA - but what his counselor felt was odd behavior 'on the phone'. I love how mental health professionals can diagnose potentially life threatening conditions over the phone and use 911 to summon EMS, despite being unable or unwilling to get involved in actually COMPELLING the patient to go. Leaves us with a delicate and often lengthy negotiation with the patient to persuade them to be transported and evaluated. Then to roll into the ED after all that hard work and have the charge nurse give you that 'what the hell' look just caps it all.
Lastly a gentleman who had managed to fall on his ass. Literally. From about 3 feet up, straight onto his coccyx. Just from the howls and vomiting, he wasn't making this up and got as much in the way of narcotics as I can give him without calling in for more. It's a rare day when I get to crack the seal on the narcs box TWICE.
Thankfully no calls overnight as my work schedule is beginning to wear me down. Off to the next job....
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