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EMS: Courage and Compassion in Action: To Call or Not to CallBy Shawn Godfrey - October 01, 2007
 | | Shawn Godfrey |
Rewind back to February 2005. I was experiencing the worst toothache of my life (the right lateral incisor for all of you dental enthusiasts).
It started with a tolerable dull ache that, over a couple of weeks, progressively developed into a unbearable throb that felt like my brain was trying to bounce its way through the top of my skull.
At times the pain literally brought me to my knees, but I was hell-bent on sticking it out and convinced myself there was no immediate need to consult with a dentist, despite already knowing the inevitable. I couldn't imagine sitting in a faux-leather chair with my head back and mouth wide open, smelling the putrid combination of peppermint mouth rinse and ground plaque as a man (or woman) with latex gloves and oversized fingers probed my oral cavity. Just the mere thought of it had all the makings for one uncomfortable day that I wasn’t ready to endure. Nope. I was going to tough it out.
This wasn't the first time I had put a pain, ache, illness, or sprain on the back burner. One could say I am a victim of "the cobbler’s kids have no shoes" syndrome. Basically, it points out how difficult it is to keep one’s own affairs in order when it is one’s job to do so for others.
In truth, falling into this trap is understandable, but not a very good idea. What better advertising for the shoe cobbler than to have his kids in new shoes? Or more fittingly, who better than a paramedic to have himself medically evaluated when ailing from an illness or suffering from an injury?
Now I'm not saying I would even consider calling an ambulance for a toothache (trust me, people do!), and there are differences between a true emergency and a minor problem, but what if certain symptoms are so vague that the need for emergency care or an ambulance isn’t so obvious? What should you do about more common illnesses and injuries?
Let me start by saying, only a doctor can diagnose medical problems. However, you can protect your family's health by learning to recognize certain signs and/or symptoms.
Know which signs and/or symptoms to watch for. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency:
* Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
* Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
* Fainting
* Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision
* Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion, difficulty arousing)
* Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
* Bleeding that won't stop
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Coughing up or vomiting blood
* Suicidal or homicidal feelings
Consult with your regular doctor before you have an emergency. Ask what you should do if you think someone in your family needs emergency care. Should you call the doctor's office first? Should you go straight to the emergency department? What should you do when the doctor’s office is closed?
Trust your instincts. People are usually very good at recognizing signs of unusual behavior or other symptoms that indicate an emergency. Many other factors, including the time of day, other medical problems, or state of mind, can make an otherwise minor medical problem an "emergency."
When to Call an Ambulance
When should you call an ambulance instead of driving to the emergency department?
Ask yourself the following questions:
* Is the victim's condition life-threatening?
* Could the victim's condition worsen and become life-threatening on the way to the hospital?
* Could moving the victim cause further injury?
* Does the victim need the skills or equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians?
* Would distance or traffic conditions cause a delay in getting the victim to the hospital?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," or if you are unsure, it's best to call an ambulance. This is true even though you can sometimes get to the hospital faster by driving than by calling an ambulance. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians communicate with the physician in the emergency department by two-way radio. They are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital. This prevents any delay that could occur if the patient is driven to the emergency department. The ambulance can also alert the emergency department of the patient's condition in advance.
Fortunately, if you live in Berkshire County, calling for help is easy. Just dial 9-1-1. When your call is answered, speak calmly and clearly. Give your name, the address, phone number, location of the victim (such as "upstairs in the bedroom"), and nature of the problem. Don't hang up until the dispatcher instructs you to. They may request additional information or need to give you further instructions or directions.
Back to my predicament: Finally, after several months of stubbornness and agonizing head pain, I decided to have the tooth looked at. Yes, I drove myself. The dentist found an approximately 1 1/2 inch mass embedded in my right maxillary bone and sinus cavity above the affected tooth, which ultimately triggered the swelling and discomfort. I was told that if I didn't have the mass extracted when I did, it may have subsequently abscessed around my brainstem. So, after all the procrastination, it turned out to be something far more severe than just a run-of-the-mill toothache.
Because of good medical care and a willingness to finally have the tooth evaluated, not only has the mass been completely removed, but so has the apprehension about getting medical care when my instincts tell me it's probably a good idea to do so.
Source: American College of Emergency Physicians |
| How do you come up with your ideas? I didnt realize there was that much to write about as an ambulance employee. Keep them coming. I know im learning alot! | | from: Steve | on: 10-04-2007 |
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| you are so right about us, we are always looking out for the health of others but when it comes to our own health we put it off, put it on the back burner for way too long. and you know funny thing i ran a toothache call yesterday, but yeah keep up the good work. keep on informing the public. | | from: Jenn EMTP | on: 10-01-2007 |
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| Good article, and must of us that work in EMS put going to the MD's office or the ED because we know what could happen. Keep up the good work. | | from: Beaker | on: 10-01-2007 |
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| I appreciate the articles. Thank you for writing them. | | from: Mike | on: 10-01-2007 |
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| I don't want to call an ambulance for anything! After reading this, now I don't feel so bad about using the resources our community offers us. I certainly wouldn't abuse it, but it's nice to know you folks are out there in order to help. Thank you for the friendly reminder. | | from: Craig | on: 10-01-2007 |
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| It's funny you write this! I just picked up a man with a toothache in the ambulance the other night! | | from: Jorge (EMT) | on: 10-01-2007 |
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| Pain is an indicator of a problem, right?? Why then do we ignore it until it is unbearable?? We are afraid to face the worst, that's why. Who enjoys "baring it all" in front of a person they barely know, trying to explain the symptoms they are experiencing in a ten minute appointment? THEN to be poked and prodded in places they'd rather not...? NO THANK YOU!! And what about the tests you'll need and the appointments you'll have to schedule and the insurance company that is going to ultimately bill you, whether it be a mistake on their part or not?? You STILL have to deal with them and straighten the whole mess out. And let's not even get into the cost of the medication you are going to need!!(*sigh) There are people who won't go their doctor until they are bleeding out of their eyes, and even then they'll insist on driving themselves!! (ahem.you know who you are.) All that aside, we really should bear all of that bad stuff when our bodies are telling us we need help, myself included. A trip to the doctor could keep you from needing the assistance of an ambulance crew. (You KNOW the emergency room is FAR WORSE than your doctors office)!! Great article, Shawn!! I'm glad you are okay and that you found someone to drive when YOU need help..... ;) | | from: Wendy | on: 10-01-2007 |
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| Always a good read..Keep up the great work! | | from: Missy Z | on: 10-01-2007 |
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