Question

A patient fell from the roof of a house while doing repair work. The patient is​ alert, oriented, and has no injuries. The patient wants to refuse transport. The EMT​ should:

A.
have law enforcement respond to the scene so they can witness the refusal.
B.
obtain a signature of refusal and return to service.
C.
obtain a signature on the refusal form and advise the patient that they should drive themselves to the ED if they experience any changes over the next four hours.
D.
perform an​ assessment, let the patient know the findings and​ recommendations, and try to persuade the patient to be transported due to the mechanism of injury.

Answer 1

The EMT should conduct a thorough assessment, inform the patient of the findings, recommend transport due to the fall's potential severity, and obtain a signed refusal form if the patient still refuses transport.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient has fallen from the roof but is alert, oriented, and appears uninjured and wants to refuse transport, the EMT should perform a detailed assessment and inform the patient of the findings and any recommendations. The importance of transport due to the potential seriousness of the mechanism of injury should be stressed. If the patient still refuses, the EMT should obtain a signature on the refusal form. Having law enforcement witness a refusal is not typically necessary unless the situation suggests a need for legal involvement, such as a patient being a threat to themselves or others. Each jurisdiction might have different protocols, and the EMT should follow those while ensuring the patient understands the risks of refusing care after such a high-risk event.