Is this really an emergency?

I respond to many calls within the16yrs I have been in Emergency Medical Services and a quarter of the calls are not a true emergency and the patients still wants to go to the hospital.  Do you remember when you were hit in the head when you were young and you got a hug and kiss on the head, you fell down and your parents said get up or just put some ice on it.  Well that is not the case most times anymore.  Here are some examples how do you think is a real emergency and believe me these are true calls, you can't make this stuff up.

                              * I have had diarrhea all day and I can't take it anymore (mind you this is roughly 2am) What do you think I am going to do for you about this situation at 2am. NOTHING
                              * 12 midnight called for unknown medical, we arrive onscene to a gentlemen and his wife. I ask what is the problem this evening?  Husband wife wants me to go to hospital because I can't get an erection.  Really what do you want me to do for it? put sticks on either side and wrap it tight.
                             *  We received a call for unknown problem when we get to residence the patients says well my kids were coming over today to make supper and they didn't come so could you make me something to eat (patient was not handicapped at all just lazy)

People need to think when they are calling 911 is it truly an emergency or something you can handle on your own.  You are taking an ambulance out of service to help with your supper, erection problem, diarrhea and many other things while someone is calling because they are having a heart attack, stroke or other illness or injury and can't get an ambulance to them in timely manner because you have us dealing with other issues.


By no means am I saying don't call 911 if you need us better to be safe than sorry, but please think for a moment and say to yourself if I was having a heart attack and the ambulance took much longer to get to me because they are on a call because Joe down the street couldn't get an erection. Would you think twice about calling for what you believe to be a problem. I know I would not be happy.  Not only are you using up the ambulance resource but the hospital ER staff.

Remember most emergency are preventable let's try that first.