When Sunshine and Kisses Aren't Enough: Healthcare Blogs

If you are waiting for an ambulance, something serious has probably happened. There are things that you will want to do in order to make your wait go as smoothly as possible because the wait can get kind of tense. 

Listen to the Dispatcher

If you have called 911 or another emergency number to get the ambulance to come to you, then you probably talked to a dispatcher. The dispatcher may have said that you should stay on the line with them while you are waiting for the ambulance to get there. There are several reasons why the dispatcher had you do this. One is that you can keep the dispatcher updated with any changes that may happen during the wait. The dispatcher can talk to the ambulance crew to let them know what's going on. That will let them treat the person as soon as possible. Another reason is that the dispatcher may be trying to keep you calm so that you can handle whatever is going on. Having to call for an ambulance can be frightening and upsetting. Having a calm voice on the other end of the line can help you handle that stress. 

Watch for the Ambulance

Another thing that you will need to do is make sure that you are paying attention and watching for the ambulance. That can mean doing something like having someone stand outside so that they can see the ambulance and that the ambulance can see them. This is an especially good idea if you live in an apartment building and the ambulance crew might need some help figuring out where to go or if they are going to need to be buzzed up to an apartment. Watching for the ambulance can also include things like turning on an exterior light so that the driver can see your house or making sure that the dispatcher tells the driver exactly what your building looks like. For example, if you live in a house that is bright yellow, make sure that you tell the dispatcher that so that the drivers are aware. Then, you should have someone looking out the window to watch for the ambulance and to guide them to where you are, if necessary. 

If something has happened, you may need to call an ambulance to make sure that people are going to get the correct treatment for whatever has happened to them. 

For more information, contact a resource like In Health Integrated Care.