"OFF DUTY..DUTY"

[Tiesha Boo]

>
>   A few years ago, we had some physicians in a hotel lobby come upon
> paramedics resuscitating an apparent MI...the docs felt the
> EMTs were NOT doing it 'properly' and vigorously objected to the
> treatments..the EMTs had them ARRESTED (by the Palm Springs PD)
> right on the
> spot!

On POL a surgical resident related being ticketed after stopping at the
scene of an MVA (excuse me MVC). He said:"In brief, I (admittedly with much
hesitation) pulled [behind] 2 cop cars at the scene NO SQUAD. Cop#3 pulls
behind and in a fuming, spitting, fury tickets me. No possibility of
conversation. Finally, as he walked away (thank god the squad arrived during
this) I called out that I needed to know if anyone needed aid, that I was a
surgeon.  He replied no, and told me to go. "

He subsequently pleaded guilty to a 'non-moving municipal offence' (whatever
that is) and paid a $130 fine and did 8 hours of 'community service.'
(Meaning, precisely, what?--he went to work?)

He quoted the relevant statute in his state:

"27:5F-13.1. Medical aid

A law enforcement officer shall permit any first aid, rescue or ambulance
squad member,
or any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine or surgery under
chapter 9 of Title 45 of
the Revised Statutes, to provide medical aid that the member, physician or
surgeon considers
appropriate to an injured person, unless in the judgment of the law
enforcement officer in charge,
considerations of the public health, safety and welfare are of overriding
concern in a particular
situation.

Law enforcement officers shall recognize and implement the public policy set
forth in this section.

L. 1987, c. 122, s. 1. "

In Chicago  about a year ago a pediatrician chanced upon a victim of violent
crime, unconcsious in an alley. When paramedics arrived he refused to
reliquinsh control at the scene and requested a stethoscope so that he could
auscultate the lungs. [not clear why he felt this was so important.] The
doctor (Who, I believe, was a pediatric cardiologist) had to be physically
removed from the scene and was roughed up a bit. He was charged and had to
make a court appearence.

So I think the moral of these stories is that 1) EMTs usually know what
they're doing at the scene of an accident. 2) this is THEIR turf  3)
physicians really have very little to add in a situation like this and
should let the paramedics 'do thier thing'. 4) Cops need to cut well meaning
docs a little slack.


tiesha