Quote:
Originally Posted by LAFwUs
Did you happen to ask whom ever stated that, why that is?
They would know better than anyone I'd imagine, if they are making that statement.
It could be a region/zone/area thing...where local ambulance service will only transport within certain mile range or is contracted to only provide transport to a given location(s). In this case, nearest being TV Hospital...in other words, you cannot ask them transport your husband 2900 miles to Portland OR General, because your favorite doctor is there. (as an example).
|
It was explained in the Sun during the time that the changes in Ambulance providers was being proposed. One question asked was "Would any changes in provider, make a difference in the patient's desire to be taken to a particular hospital ?"
The answer was, the PROVIDER would not make any difference as there is a procedure that applies no matter the provider. The article gave the steps: 1. The patient can ask to be transported to a particular hospital and the provider MUST honor the patient's request. Then we got into the "exceptions". Those included when the medics at the scene determine it IS A LIFE THREATENING event, a stroke, heart attack, profuse bleeding, etc. any condition that is judged to be immediately life threatening. In that case the ambulance crew is legally bound to take the patient to the NEAREST FACILITY that HAS ROOM. The article went on to explain in detail all the possible exceptions to each of the steps. A patient might request to be take to a hospital, say in Orlando for instance, but a check by the crew may find that hospital, for one reason or another, is overwhelmed at the moment and not able to accept more critical emergencies (say there had just been a major explosion at a manufacturing facility in Orlando). In such cases, the patient may not be able to be transported to their first choice. Suffice to say, the article made it clear that even when a patient requests a particular hospital, and even though the request must be honored (if possible), the reality is, it's just not always possible. And, if a person is having a stroke, where a few seconds or minutes can mean recovery or permanent impairment, the ambulance crew is experienced in knowing seconds are crucial and the patient's preference is NOT honored of course. Life over personal preference !