First Responders: unless you are related to one, do not feature largely in most of our lives, most of the time. But their value and importance is magnified when a need arises. Recently our family had contact with Acute Care Ambulance and the local hospital Emergency Room staff. At the end of a long day we came to realize that these people are simply not recognized for all that they do. Here are a few ideas on how to manage better, as a patient, in a traumatic medical emergency:
Many people
Many times a day
Owe their Life
To a First Responder
… THANK YOU
First Responder information:
In an emergency
Call 9-1-1
Ask for Ambulance – Fire – Police
depending on the type of emergency
When someone you love is ill, 5 minutes can seem like a very long time. In an emergency the 9-1-1 Dispatcher usually stays on the phone line until paramedics / ambulance arrive.
Notes:
- When there is an emergency, medical or otherwise, it can be extremely stressful for the person involved. And equally true for those who love them
- Acute Care Ambulance Services will respond if your circumstance is potentially life threatening, such as a heart attack or a severe motor vehicle accident
- It is very important, that these pre-hospital First Responder caregivers obtain accurate information to be passed onto Emergency Room staff at the hospital
- Whatever your age, and health, after 40 years of age, have an annual medical checkup. This may avoid an unexpected medical surprise that requires first responders
To Make Life easier …
- Have a responsible person available to assist the patient and provide information to paramedics
- This is especially important if the patient has memory loss or dementia, or is incapacitated
- Maintain a list of the patient’s current medications (and drug interactions or allergies. etc)
- Keep a copy of patients Medical Care Card with the above information
- Include recent medical history including names of specialists with contact information
- This information saves errors and should include special information, such as “Please do not resuscitate” etc
- Be sensible and keep information brief. It helps to be printed on an Index card, placed in a clear sealable plastic bag. The card can be kept on the fridge and, if needed, pinned to the patients clothes. Also keep a copy when you are out (wallet or purse)
- Even though circumstances may be frightening try and be as level-headed and calm as you are able and let the first responders do their job
More Notes:
- Depending on time of day, sometimes holdups occur for a multitude of reasons
- It is not the fault or responsibility of the paramedics or hospital staff that the car park is full or you feel parking costs are outrageously steep
- Emergency Room doctors and staff may be called away at any time to attend new major trauma patients, requiring life saving care, which may delay your own results
- It is not unusual that hospital ER corridors are crowded with patients in beds awaiting care or to be admitted overnight
Thank You First Responders …
All the staff we had contact with were calm, kind, compassionate and very professional. There are many other first responders we are grateful for such as : firefighters, municipal and volunteer firefighters, police, air ambulance paramedics and pilots. We are so thankful to have such people when they are needed in our lives. Finally, it’s always nice to remember to say:
PLEASE
and
THANK YOU
The next life a first responder saves may be yours,
or the life of someone you love.
~ Take care, Liz
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” – Plato
Links & References:
- You can pass on your Compliments at BC Emergency Health Services information
- BC Air Ambulance Services
- Profile – Paramedic Association of Canada
- How to become a Paramedic
Articles from Caramel & Parsley over the years on being “the best you can be, at any time of life” :
- Health & Fitness Any time of year (2015)
- Time for a Change (2017 version)
- Changes After 2 Primary Cancers (2018)
- Disclaimer:
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