You Make the Call...Restaurant

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You are the Paramedic assigned to an ALS engine.
Dispatched to a swanky new restaurant for a reported chest pain, you are met at the door by a man who states he is the owner.

He tells you his customers wouldn't appreciate a bunch of blue collar civil servants firefighters wandering through the restaurant and he'll let one person in to attend to the patient.

You have on your shoulder the ALS kit and monitor, the EMT is carrying the oxygen bag which would be easy enough to get through any restaurant without hitting people in the head. You also have a portable radio with you.

The boss looks to you and says, "You make the call."

Comments

audrey said…
Nope, equipment and personnel go with. They called YOU to do YOUR job and with that comes the necessary equipment. You don't tell him how to run his restaurant, he doesn't tell you how to do your job.
May 1, 2009 at 8:15 AM
The Road Doctor said…
It is a felony to interfere w/ my duties. We and all of the equipment that is dictated necessary are going inside.

BTW-How do we get another "Make the Call" post w/o a conclusion to the dumpster fire one? :)
May 1, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Mike "FossilMedic" Ward said…
I would offer to send one person to see the patient after the engine moves to the front of the restaurant, leaving the emergency lights and electonic siren in the "yelp" position.

***********************

Now that fantasy response is out, you need at least two to evaluate the patient.
May 1, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Anonymous said…
Pull the owner aside for a "word of prayer." Tell the "owner" to move or I will have him moved for interfering with an emergency scene, tell my crew to do what they do best maintain their professionalism and proceed to treat the patient to the best of their abilities and customer service practices of the department. After treating the patient proceed to reenact the restaurant scene from the Blues Brothers.
May 1, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Anonymous said…
As same as all of the above im afraid. They called you for help so they should expect the normal and full response.
The only time I have ever considered this is when it is for religious grounds, but even then, it ended up with "as per normal" with agreement from the family.
However, I do like FossilMedics idea of leaving the sirens on during the assessment!.
May 1, 2009 at 3:53 PM
FireCap5 said…
Thank God I work in a Steel Mill!! I would most likely tell the guy to get bent, or just give him a look of utter disdain as my crew and I walk past ignoring the pompous ass.

The right answer would be to inform the owner that it takes more than one emergency medical professional to properly treat a cardiac patient, and that we were going to make sure the patient recieved the care he deserves. Please step aside sir. If he didn't, then I would get MotorCop and Two-wheel Terror to arrest him!
May 1, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Jessy said…
Hmmm... Maybe I would have mentioned the civil liability the restaurant owner is opening himself up to by delaying the emergency medical treatment that is standard in the rest of the area. Could you imagine if the guy died? Had he been even just outside the restaurant on the sidewalk, he would have received the standard response. I don't think his customers would appreciate a restaurant owner more concerned about his business image than the health and well-being of one of his customers.
May 1, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Anonymous said…
Same as above, but I'm a reasonable guy so I would tell him it will take me and my EMT to properly do the job (we have a radio to call for assistance), and ask they crew to 'hang out' while we do a scene size-up. I know we 'own the scene' but I also know that he doesn't understand that and I don't have time to explain it to him. My Officer can do that while my EMT and I work the patient. Bottom line is, I don't give a damn about his customer base, but I also don't want to waste any time telling him that.
Capt. Tom
May 1, 2009 at 5:37 PM
mommy-medic said…
"Oh them? They aren't here for the patient, they just want to look at the menu- the one on the patient's table."

He moves aside or her gets arrested. The patient comes first.
May 1, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Anonymous said…
I'd try the nice approach first. Tell the owner that we need everyone to help to provide the highest level of care that his tax dollars are paying for.If he was still adament about it, I'd send at least the Ambulance crew go in and check things. If that didn't work, I'd point out that he is not only opening himself to a large civil liability, but is in violation of a state statute. The promise of adding a few Deputies into the mix should convince him. Notwithstanding that, our Fire and EMS people place high value on a professional appearance.

TripleJ
May 1, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Anonymous said…
"Are you a Doctor sir" ?
NO.
"Well then maybe WE/I should decide how many people it will take to treat the pt.. If only one or two is needed that's fine and we'll advise you. Now where's the pt."?

Davey.
May 1, 2009 at 8:39 PM
brendan said…
*LOL* "You almost had me there for a second. You're funny!" *Keep walking*
May 1, 2009 at 9:36 PM
The Bus Driver said…
If he fears "firemen" walking through his restaurant would be looked down upon by his customers, I'd wonder how his customers would react if one of his "valued patrons" died because of his unwillingness to let help in to save the man (or woman).. cant be gender specific.
May 1, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Grace said…
I am not a medical person, but I had a heart attack recently and emergency personnel were called to my office. Four fire personnel and three paramedics showed up and attended to me. Most of the people in my office had no idea that anything was happening and only noticed when they wheeled me out. The emergency personnel were all very calm and discreet. The owner probably caused more fuss than just letting the emergency crew do their job.
May 1, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Chris said…
Engine out front, leave lights on. All go in, leaving the boss to argue with him. Move the customers from the nearest tables to make space. Generally make the most professional nuisance of yourself you can. Call for a lift assist.


Having said that, all that's really needed is 2 of you, so just take the EMT and go in. Everyone else can stay outside.

My girlfriend's opinion "They don't like the uniform, so strip off". (That's why I like her! :p )
May 2, 2009 at 5:30 AM
Bo... said…
Too funny! I would say: "Uh...I guess we only need one seat---the other guy can sit on my shoulders..."
May 2, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Bo... said…
Or you could have said: "Take my defibrillator---PLEASE!"
May 2, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Ambulance Driver said…
I would politely, diplomatically, and with the utmost professionalism...

...tell the owner to get bent.
May 7, 2009 at 7:56 PM
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