Question

You are called to a scene for a report of "an unconscious man." when you arrive at the scene, the patient is conscious and alert, sitting on the front stairs with neighbors around him. he says he doesn't know what happened but is "okay now, just a little woozy." you ask if you can assess him, but he refuses. you make several attempts to get him to change his mind, pointing out possible causes of the problem and possible consequences of refusing. he still says no, and you ask the neighbors if they can help the patient change his mind. finally, you get the patient to sign a release from liability form and have it witnessed by one of the neighbors. as you leave, you document the call and your efforts to convince the patient to accept assessment/care. what else should you have done with this patient before leaving the scene?

Answer 1

The paramedic should have taken the following steps before leaving the scene:
1. He should have consulted with medical direction online. This will give him more precise information on what he can do in the situation in which he finds himself.
2. He ought to have advise the patient to called EMS if the problem re occur again.
3. He ought to have advise the patient's neighbors to stay with him in order to be of help if the problem occur again.<span />