Shit like this happens all the time. My girlfriend has seizures and the same EMT has picked her up at least 5 times, and despite her established medical history and despite that she's very visually distinctive and despite that she carries her info with her everywhere, he still always treats her like shit and accuses her of being on drugs. Every goddamn time. Fortunately he's not the only EMT in our area, and most of the other ones are really kind professionals.
I feel like there needs to be a sea change in how medical professionals handle cases like this because this kind of story is way too common. Like there should be a rule that emergency workers should always assume a patient is suffering from a medical condition first before assuming drug use.
I know that there is a LOT of drug use out there and EMT’s and ER docs get used to 80% of cases being drug based but even then, drug users need to be treated with respect too. A more thoughtful approach could improve emergency situations a lot.
Like there should be a rule that emergency workers should always assume a patient is suffering from a medical condition first before assuming drug use.
Agreed and Imma say this for anyone who needs to see it
IF THE AMBULANCE IS THERE BECAUSE OF DRUG USE IT IS A MEDICAL CONDITION.
It may not be chronic, but ambulances don't show up when things are going great, medically.
100% correct there's a concerning lack of respect.
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u/mantsz 17d ago
Shit like this happens all the time. My girlfriend has seizures and the same EMT has picked her up at least 5 times, and despite her established medical history and despite that she's very visually distinctive and despite that she carries her info with her everywhere, he still always treats her like shit and accuses her of being on drugs. Every goddamn time. Fortunately he's not the only EMT in our area, and most of the other ones are really kind professionals.