3am Toothache

It was about 3am when the alarm went off for a "toothache."

My partner and I both rolled out of bed grumbling something about "this better be good."
We arrived on the scene at the distant 7-11 store and found this late 20ish guy standing
by the pay phone. I had patient care this shift, so I approached the subject and asked
what the problem was. He told me that he had this toothache, could not sleep and wanted
to be transported to the nearest hospital. I asked to look at his tooth and after I did,
I informed him that the hospital would probably not see him unless his tooth was abscessed
(it was not).

I guess he didn't believe me and requested transport anyway. On route to the hospital
I called in and told them what I had and suggested that the patient be taken to triage.
Of course they agreed.

After we arrived at the hospital, I directed the patient to the triage desk and off I went
to finish paperwork. Since I had written the run report while on route to the hospital,
I only had to leave a copy with the charge nurse and we were off. As my partner and
I were walking back to the rig, I noticed our patient was still talking to the triage nurse.
My partner said to me, "what ya wanna bet this guy asks us for a ride home?"

We climbed back into the rig - my partner was driving and his window was toward the triage
office. As my partner was getting ready to start the rig, we noticed our patient was
walking back out the ambulance. It was wintertime and the windows were rolled up.
The guy walked up to the rig and tapped on the driver's side window. My partner rolled
down the window and asked - "what's up?" Patient: "The nurse said that you guys would
give me a ride back." After my partner and I stopped laughing, he said - "Sir, we're 911.
We don't do return trips." My partner tried to tell you that the hospital would not treat
you for a toothache, but you insisted." Patient - "Well, how am I going to get home?"
My partner then pointed to the bus stop that was across the street and off we went.

Sweet revenge!

Brian Rueger
Medic-10
1994

nice story. you must be in a rural area cuz here in NYC i think if i got a call like that i would laugh at the guy and call in a 10-90. who could be so stupid get in a damn taxi and go yourself...

No, not in a rural area.

Unfortunately, we cannot refuse service.

Funny i dont remember writing my last comment but just yesterday i had the same call and we had to take the pt. but as it turns out they have a dentist on call.