In recent days, I came across a statement from a rescuer from the Pilsen region, who described that people with obvious symptoms often do not behave considerately. They do not isolate themselves from the family, they do not wear a veil, they are rude. Is this a common phenomenon?
I know about it from my own experience. We don’t always come to someone who is willing to wear at least a veil, but preferably a respirator. We all probably have this experience. Not all patients are sensible people to realize that by denying or ignoring them, they endanger not only themselves and their families, but also those who call for help. I did not explicitly encounter aggression on the trips, but our crews encountered such types.
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Why is it? Has people’s approach to coronavirus changed?
It changes in waves. But I must say that now I feel a great fear among people that if he does not call in time, he may not have a place in the hospital. It can be seen that people are already tired of it in the autumn and especially now, nervous and communication with them is not entirely easy.
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How do rescuers tolerate this?
Fatigue is great and not everyone tolerates it very well. Rescuers intervene in an environment where, every three weeks ago, they drove every tenth covid-positive patient. In the last few weeks, especially the last one, we have been driving every third, sometimes every other covid positive patient. Although everyone has protective equipment, they are worried that they could bring it home. Most regions have a psychologist, we try to provide help to colleagues if they need it.
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In the fall, you addressed the lack of staff, some lay at home with a covid. However, paramedics can be vaccinated for several months. Is it starting to show?
As far as I know, the morbidity in the rescue population has decreased significantly in terms of isolation quarantines and the like. As I have talked to colleagues, the vaccination coverage is around eighty and ninety percent. But it varies from area to area. Those who are more hesitant have received the first dose or are already registered. Then, of course, there are rescuers who have recently undergone covid and have immunity.
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What problems do people call ambulance most often?
It changes with the period. Last spring it was mainly cough and fever, in the autumn there were strange headaches and chest pains. Nowadays, I see, at least as I intervene, that a lot of more severe shortness of breath and long-lasting fevers combined with chest pain have increased.
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It is not always possible to distinguish whether it is really only in connection with the covid or whether it has cardiac causes. Of course, everyone who is positive or thinks so and is severely short of breath will start to be afraid. For a young, relatively healthy person or man in his fifties who has never been to the hospital, every shortness of breath is suddenly terrifying.
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Is there a limit to when to call your GP and when you prefer an ambulance?
That is wrong and I would not like to give such a guide. It’s human to human. Of course, if you feel that your condition has deteriorated so much that you can’t breathe and do it at home, then of course you are calling. Of course, if you have a general practitioner, it is reasonable to consult with him. There are people we communicate with, we saw them on Thursday, they just asked for advice, and we go for them on Friday and they are really in danger. Sometimes it takes an awfully fast turn.
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