Final answer:
Patient refusal calls are high risk for paramedics due to violence, infectious exposure, and legal liability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The higher than normal risk of patient refusal calls for paramedics is:
- Violence: Paramedics may face a higher risk of violence when patients refuse treatment, especially in situations where the patient is agitated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Infectious exposure: Paramedics may be at a higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases when dealing with patients who refuse treatment. For example, if a patient refuses to wear a face mask during a global pandemic, it increases the risk of the paramedic contracting the illness.
- Legal liability: Paramedics may face the risk of legal liability when patients refuse treatment. If a patient later changes their mind and suffers harm as a result of their refusal, the paramedic may be held liable for not adequately persuading the patient to accept treatment.