Comments on: “The Ambulance Game” http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/ A blog from inside the emergency department Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:23:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Robert http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-20968 Robert Wed, 19 May 2010 21:05:29 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-20968 I hope everyone knows that most ambulances will only take you to the nearest hospital. And a hospital is not going to give a patient enough drugs that they would satisfy an addict A little common sense and a little compassion for the poor who need ambulances and can't afford 500 dollars for an ambulance. My disability income is 1200 a month. YOU YOU REALLY THINK I CAN AFFORD AN AMBULANCE? I could barely pay the 100 dollars I had to pay for my ambulance co pay when I had to go to the Er after I fell in the bathroom. I guess it would be best if the poor did just die. And if they are on medicaid, the 500 would come from the government one way or another. Just try to think this through. Plus I saw no facts or figures in this article. Just some interviews with people who could be lying there asses off. Oh and Chris I am in about the same position you are. 5 years of pain before getting into pain management. I am on disability and my insurance doesn't cover oxycotin and I can't afford the 1000 dollars it would cost so I have to take methadone and when I go to the hospital and I tell them I take methadone for pain they automatically think I am a junkie plus they won't even call my pain clinic to verify that I am in pain management. I just have to hope I get a good doctor who understand how things really work in this world. I have also meet my share of Nurse K's who are little Hitlers. I had one who even refuse to give me my pain medication after my operation for my perforated bowel. Luckily another nurse saw what happened called the head nurse and the nurse was removed from the floor and I got my pain medication. If no one saw it I would have had to lay in pain for her entire shift Besides Junkies get hurt too and need to be treated for pain if they are in medical need or in Nurse K's world view do you lose your right to have your pain treated if you get hit by a car if you are a drug addict? And I have seen my share of little Hitler ERPs who decide you are an addict if you know anything about pain medications and tell them what has been the most effective, or have a chronic condition requiring many hospital visits. Or doesn't it make sense to go back each time to the hospital that has all your records. I had a preforated bowel and had 10 cm of my bowel removed. The operation when badly and for two months I was in and out of the Er and admitting a few time. Once for a almost three weeks. One doctor decided I kept coming back because I was a drug addict. Yeah I tricked them into cutting me open removing 10 cm of my gut so I could get a shot or pain medication 2 times a month. Not all doctors are smart. Like when I was having a MRI done and I asked for valium because I get claustryphobic yeah I can't spell it but the doctor said no because I might be a drug addict. Huh? a drug addict who sees his personal doctor to get a referral to a orthopeadist who sends him to get a MRI and this moron of a doctor thinks a junkie would go to all that trouble to get 10mg of valium. Wake up people/ THINK and reason about things. I hope everyone knows that most ambulances will only take you to the nearest hospital. And a hospital is not going to give a patient enough drugs that they would satisfy an addict

A little common sense and a little compassion for the poor who need ambulances and can’t afford 500 dollars for an ambulance. My disability income is 1200 a month. YOU YOU REALLY THINK I CAN AFFORD AN AMBULANCE? I could barely pay the 100 dollars I had to pay for my ambulance co pay when I had to go to the Er after I fell in the bathroom. I guess it would be best if the poor did just die.

And if they are on medicaid, the 500 would come from the government one way or another.

Just try to think this through.

Plus I saw no facts or figures in this article. Just some interviews with people who could be lying there asses off.

Oh and Chris I am in about the same position you are.

5 years of pain before getting into pain management. I am on disability and my insurance doesn’t cover oxycotin and I can’t afford the 1000 dollars it would cost so I have to take methadone and when I go to the hospital and I tell them I take methadone for pain they automatically think I am a junkie plus they won’t even call my pain clinic to verify that I am in pain management. I just have to hope I get a good doctor who understand how things really work in this world.

I have also meet my share of Nurse K’s who are little Hitlers. I had one who even refuse to give me my pain medication after my operation for my perforated bowel. Luckily another nurse saw what happened called the head nurse and the nurse was removed from the floor and I got my pain medication. If no one saw it I would have had to lay in pain for her entire shift

Besides Junkies get hurt too and need to be treated for pain if they are in medical need or in Nurse K’s world view do you lose your right to have your pain treated if you get hit by a car if you are a drug addict?

And I have seen my share of little Hitler ERPs who decide you are an addict if you know anything about pain medications and tell them what has been the most effective, or have a chronic condition requiring many hospital visits. Or doesn’t it make sense to go back each time to the hospital that has all your records. I had a preforated bowel and had 10 cm of my bowel removed. The operation when badly and for two months I was in and out of the Er and admitting a few time. Once for a almost three weeks. One doctor decided I kept coming back because I was a drug addict. Yeah I tricked them into cutting me open removing 10 cm of my gut so I could get a shot or pain medication 2 times a month. Not all doctors are smart. Like when I was having a MRI done and I asked for valium because I get claustryphobic yeah I can’t spell it but the doctor said no because I might be a drug addict. Huh? a drug addict who sees his personal doctor to get a referral to a orthopeadist who sends him to get a MRI and this moron of a doctor thinks a junkie would go to all that trouble to get 10mg of valium.

Wake up people/

THINK and reason about things.

]]> By: Chris http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-17502 Chris Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:59:55 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-17502 I agree 100% with this article... I hate people who abuse the system.. Because it ruins it for people like me. I have lived with chronic pain for 7 years now. I was in a car accident, not my fault, on my way to school. I have spent the past 7 years in and out of surgeries, hospitals, and physical therapy. I had a machine that is like a tens unit for my spine put into my body so I could take less pain meds, yet i still get alot of bad days with break through pain that is almost unbearable. When I get these days I fight with my fiance and family to not have to go to the ER. I GET TREATED HORRIBLY by the ER. Like I am a drug seeker. I hate it so much. I actually have been made to suffer 5 hours before the ER down here where I go to school finally got into contact with my pain mang doc ( who is hard to get a hold of) to verify I needed the meds I was telling him. I was in so much pain , If I could have I would have offed myself right then and there, anything was better than the pain i was feeling... my BP went so high my eyes were red and i could do nothing but rock back and forth.. yet the dr's just sat there. I actually choose to suffer days in bed riving in pain, than go to the ER and get that look, that most ER people give you. I am treated so horribly, and whats funny, is it was an ER Docs Fault I have chronic pain, they missed my neck fracture, which resulted in nerve damage. I am sure they were too busy patting them selves on the back stroking their god complex egos... to notice that I was actually in a ton of pain. but i digress, there have been one or two ER docs who have actually taken me seriously and not put me through the ringer, and to these people I thank, but before all of you get so jaded ... please remember there are people out there who have gotten screwed in life, and are in chronic pain, and do have to come in some times 5 times in two months if they cant get their muscles to stop spasming, or they cant keep anything down including their meds, so they have to come in for an IV.. please dont make us suffer because there are people out there who abuse the system. Even with my paper trail, neurostimulator, and letter from my doc.... I still get that look from ER people... I am young, I must be faking it ... just because you cant see it on the outside, doesnt mean its not there. and one day you are going to make someone who really is at there whits end, who just needs relief and you are going to give them a hard time, and they just wont be able to take it... i know i have been there.. and if not for the support of my mother... I would not be here still... fighting to just get through each day... trying not to be bitter, that because of a a drunk driver, and a careless ER doctor and staff, I am stuck this way for the rest of my life. I agree 100% with this article… I hate people who abuse the system.. Because it ruins it for people like me. I have lived with chronic pain for 7 years now. I was in a car accident, not my fault, on my way to school. I have spent the past 7 years in and out of surgeries, hospitals, and physical therapy. I had a machine that is like a tens unit for my spine put into my body so I could take less pain meds, yet i still get alot of bad days with break through pain that is almost unbearable. When I get these days I fight with my fiance and family to not have to go to the ER. I GET TREATED HORRIBLY by the ER. Like I am a drug seeker. I hate it so much. I actually have been made to suffer 5 hours before the ER down here where I go to school finally got into contact with my pain mang doc ( who is hard to get a hold of) to verify I needed the meds I was telling him. I was in so much pain , If I could have I would have offed myself right then and there, anything was better than the pain i was feeling… my BP went so high my eyes were red and i could do nothing but rock back and forth.. yet the dr’s just sat there. I actually choose to suffer days in bed riving in pain, than go to the ER and get that look, that most ER people give you. I am treated so horribly, and whats funny, is it was an ER Docs Fault I have chronic pain, they missed my neck fracture, which resulted in nerve damage. I am sure they were too busy patting them selves on the back stroking their god complex egos… to notice that I was actually in a ton of pain. but i digress, there have been one or two ER docs who have actually taken me seriously and not put me through the ringer, and to these people I thank, but before all of you get so jaded … please remember there are people out there who have gotten screwed in life, and are in chronic pain, and do have to come in some times 5 times in two months if they cant get their muscles to stop spasming, or they cant keep anything down including their meds, so they have to come in for an IV.. please dont make us suffer because there are people out there who abuse the system. Even with my paper trail, neurostimulator, and letter from my doc…. I still get that look from ER people… I am young, I must be faking it … just because you cant see it on the outside, doesnt mean its not there. and one day you are going to make someone who really is at there whits end, who just needs relief and you are going to give them a hard time, and they just wont be able to take it… i know i have been there.. and if not for the support of my mother… I would not be here still… fighting to just get through each day… trying not to be bitter, that because of a a drunk driver, and a careless ER doctor and staff, I am stuck this way for the rest of my life.

]]> By: AnnR http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-9552 AnnR Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:32:33 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-9552 Our County tried to institute the $500 fee, but guess who blocked it? The EMS services. They set up a cry that people wouldn't call the ambulances if they thought they'd have to pay. The County "said" the fee would be billed to insurance and most wouldn't pay. Whether one believes that or not is up for grabs. Between the firefighters/EMS folks and retirees they blocked the fee. Makes me think that "gaming the system" has got more than just druggy players. Our County tried to institute the $500 fee, but guess who blocked it?

The EMS services. They set up a cry that people wouldn’t call the ambulances if they thought they’d have to pay. The County “said” the fee would be billed to insurance and most wouldn’t pay. Whether one believes that or not is up for grabs.

Between the firefighters/EMS folks and retirees they blocked the fee.

Makes me think that “gaming the system” has got more than just druggy players.

]]> By: skippymom http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-9437 skippymom Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:56:39 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-9437 This may be the reason why they have instituted a $500 fee in our county for ambulance rides - I didn't understand it at first - but if this is what people are actually doing [and it makes me nauseous to think of the abuse] then it makes sense that the $500 is valid. Not they will ever pay it if they are this shifty and Medicaid/care doesn't cover it - it is still wrong. This may be the reason why they have instituted a $500 fee in our county for ambulance rides – I didn’t understand it at first – but if this is what people are actually doing [and it makes me nauseous to think of the abuse] then it makes sense that the $500 is valid.

Not they will ever pay it if they are this shifty and Medicaid/care doesn’t cover it – it is still wrong.

]]> By: “Don’t get sick after June.” « Adventures of a Funky Heart! http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-9023 “Don’t get sick after June.” « Adventures of a Funky Heart! Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:10:40 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-9023 [...] that health care has literally become the economy.  Add in people who like to game the system (like these folks) and the available funds are disappearing faster and faster. We’re not just talking about [...] [...] that health care has literally become the economy.  Add in people who like to game the system (like these folks) and the available funds are disappearing faster and faster. We’re not just talking about [...]

]]> By: ERP http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-9020 ERP Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:41:34 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-9020 Not all of us Nurse K. Yes, I do "care" about those things but I pretty much am unwavering in not giving obvious repeat offending drug seekers any narcs. Patients have been known to call the ER to find out who is working, and if it is me or another doc who rarely indulges the addicts, I am pretty sure they decide not to come in. Not all of us Nurse K. Yes, I do “care” about those things but I pretty much am unwavering in not giving obvious repeat offending drug seekers any narcs. Patients have been known to call the ER to find out who is working, and if it is me or another doc who rarely indulges the addicts, I am pretty sure they decide not to come in.

]]> By: Nurse K http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/2009/06/the-ambulance-game/#comment-8998 Nurse K Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:57:03 +0000 http://www.epmonthly.com/whitecoat/?p=2844#comment-8998 I liked the part in the article about how overdoses surpassed car accidents for leading accidental cause of death in the area. That's crayzee. I have 2500 people per day read my blog with all the drug-seeker stories and whatnot. I always wonder if anyone was ever helped by it; maybe a doc second-guessed himself giving a narcotic script for "hives" or "1/2 cm cut" or "chronic finger pain" or the 5th visit in 2 months for "back pain" or a nurse questioned the necessity for a narcotic that would have killed the patient or someone to whom he'd sold it. Probably not though. Based on my experiences, docs only care about complaint letters and satisfaction scores. I liked the part in the article about how overdoses surpassed car accidents for leading accidental cause of death in the area. That’s crayzee.

I have 2500 people per day read my blog with all the drug-seeker stories and whatnot. I always wonder if anyone was ever helped by it; maybe a doc second-guessed himself giving a narcotic script for “hives” or “1/2 cm cut” or “chronic finger pain” or the 5th visit in 2 months for “back pain” or a nurse questioned the necessity for a narcotic that would have killed the patient or someone to whom he’d sold it.

Probably not though. Based on my experiences, docs only care about complaint letters and satisfaction scores.

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