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Seizures and Medics / EMTs
Jul. 15th, 2010 10:04 pmYesterday I had a seizure (partial), which is typically no big deal. Except when it happens in public, around well-meaning people who have *no clue* what they are doing. Such was the case yesterday, when I was in an insurance Continuing Education class.
The instructor called for the medics, followed by Kellie ... who was essentially yelled at because I didn't have any of my meds on my person. Kellie tried to explain to the instructor that I take my meds in the morning and evening, and there is no way to use a medication to stop a seizure - it's not like an asthma attack, where I'd just take a hit off my Maxair inhaler. Also, she told the instructor that contacting the medics was totally unnecessary, unless I was obviously injured.
So the medics came and wanted to take me to the ER, despite my (and Kellie's) repeated requests to let me be released AMA (against medical advice). The medic told me that I had to go because my "blood pressure was too high" to let me alone. Kellie was pissed off, and so was I. When I went to the ER, all they did was took my blood pressure twice and released me after 4 hours. Even the ER doc that saw me was in disbelief that I was brought in, telling both of us that since we've had long experience with my epilepsy ... we knew best on how to handle the situation with my seizures.
Later that night, Kellie spoke with her father - a volunteer firefighter/EMT - about what happened, and he agreed that the EMT was out of line and should have respected my wishes. So now, I get to call the SF Fire Department to make a complaint about this whole situation; apparently since this was done by coercion, the FD would be responsible for the expenses incurred.
And as an FYI, this is an example of the AMA form typically used by medics and hospitals: Marin County AMA Form. And I met all of the criteria indicated for not needing to be taken to the ER.
The instructor called for the medics, followed by Kellie ... who was essentially yelled at because I didn't have any of my meds on my person. Kellie tried to explain to the instructor that I take my meds in the morning and evening, and there is no way to use a medication to stop a seizure - it's not like an asthma attack, where I'd just take a hit off my Maxair inhaler. Also, she told the instructor that contacting the medics was totally unnecessary, unless I was obviously injured.
So the medics came and wanted to take me to the ER, despite my (and Kellie's) repeated requests to let me be released AMA (against medical advice). The medic told me that I had to go because my "blood pressure was too high" to let me alone. Kellie was pissed off, and so was I. When I went to the ER, all they did was took my blood pressure twice and released me after 4 hours. Even the ER doc that saw me was in disbelief that I was brought in, telling both of us that since we've had long experience with my epilepsy ... we knew best on how to handle the situation with my seizures.
Later that night, Kellie spoke with her father - a volunteer firefighter/EMT - about what happened, and he agreed that the EMT was out of line and should have respected my wishes. So now, I get to call the SF Fire Department to make a complaint about this whole situation; apparently since this was done by coercion, the FD would be responsible for the expenses incurred.
And as an FYI, this is an example of the AMA form typically used by medics and hospitals: Marin County AMA Form. And I met all of the criteria indicated for not needing to be taken to the ER.
