I had to use one of these just the other day. It sucked. It had been a very VERY long time since I had to fetch one of these from our medic bag.
(Infant bag valve mask - used to provide positive pressure ventilation, in this case during resuscitation efforts.)
It sucked. Just saying.
No one wants to attend these calls, but comfort comes in the sense of feeling proud knowing your one of the few strong enough to face the worst. It also helps to have an awesome support system in place too.
I totally get it, we tend to see our patients at their worst moments in life.
You're scared because your daughter choked on a small toy from her happy meal while you were busy with your drug dealer and you know I'm going to call child and family services. Yes. I am the asshole.You had a panic attack when the police arrested you for beating up your girlfriend and it's my fault that I'm legally responsible to take your blood pressure.
You drank too much booze and pooped your pants and I'm not giving you the sympathy you're looking for which makes me a f*cking prick. That's cool, I can take it, I have thick skin. But... my thick skin isn't covered in poo.
So when a patient comes along that actually appreciates our service it's a blessing. It's even nicer when we encounter a patient who doesn't want our company yet still maintains their sense of humor.
Old Man (staring in disbelief at the 4 firefighters, 2 paramedics and medical supervisor standing in his little apartment): "What the heck are you all doing here and who broke my door?"
Me: "Well, your daughter called us because she was concerned about you".
Old Man: "I'm fine."
Daughter: "You didn't answer the phone."
Old Man: "I'm deaf, I couldn't hear it!"Daughter: "I was ringing the doorbell, door's locked and you weren't answering the door?"
Old Man: "The lock is to keep you out. I'm trying to get some sleep."
Daughter: "You haven't been eating either."
Old Man: "I haven't been hungry!"
Me: ::blink blink:: looking at my crew
Daughter: "You should be eating....."
Old Man: "I'm 89 years old. I think I know when I need to eat. I've made it this far in life..."Me: "Sir, how do you feel now?"
Old Man: "With my hands!"Just one of these 'good calls' can cancel out a whole bunch of the others.