So a couple of nights ago, I had some students staying at my place. They study in switzerland but originally from China (for those curious as the pertinence of this, just wait). Incredibly nice and courteous guys.
My name was called from downstairs at maybe 1am, I go downstairs to find one of them in extreme pain, holding his mid abdmomenal area and writhing on the floor in pain. They asked if I could call them an ambulance.
The conversation with the emergency services lasted 20 minutes. 20 minutes. And this wasnt while an amulance was on the way.
They wanted to know what had happened:
stomach pains, he had been vomiting, had slipped in the bath due to faintness and fallen hard, and was in a lot of pain generally.
We asked for an ambulance, they said no. They said at best, they will send a doctor to the apartment in... one hour minimum.
We were passed onto another person. Asked to repeat everything again.
I lost my patience, and basically said: will you send an ambulance or not?
Then followed the nasty part.
Emergency people: "what is his name?"
Us still waiting : " XXX XXXXX"
EP - "erm, is he swiss?"
US - "he is chinese but studies here and has insurance from their swiss school"
EP - "are you sure he has insurance?"
US - "yes, I'm looking at it"
EP - "are you sure it is swiss insurance?"
US - "...yes, it is swiss insurance from a swiss school, which they have attended for over a year"
EP - "ok well the doctor will be there in one hour, if you are in a hurry, maybe go the hospital or the centre in carouge"
I ended up calling them a taxi.
We asked what the person on the other end of the lines name was, the response:
EP - "(PAUSE)....why do you want to know that?"
US - "Just to know who i have been talking to"
EP - "(LONG PAUSE)... sorry we have a rule we cant divulge that information"
US - hahaha sure you do *CLICK*
Now i've been fortunate enough to not need the emergency services, but surely, surely, this isnt anywhere near the norm.
There was a strong chance he had appendicitis from all his symptoms or potentially concussion from falling in the bath. So there was definite urgency.
I understand that there are times where they are rammed and they will try to figure out if it is an emergency or not, but surely benefit of the doubt when someone calls the emergency number?
I'm now inclined to lie next time, to save any of this bs.
So a couple of nights ago, I had some students staying at my place. They study in switzerland but originally from China (for those curious as the pertinence of this, just wait). Incredibly nice and courteous guys.
My name was called from downstairs at maybe 1am, I go downstairs to find one of them in extreme pain, holding his mid abdmomenal area and writhing on the floor in pain. They asked if I could call them an ambulance.
The conversation with the emergency services lasted 20 minutes. 20 minutes. And this wasnt while an amulance was on the way.
They wanted to know what had happened:
stomach pains, he had been vomiting, had slipped in the bath due to faintness and fallen hard, and was in a lot of pain generally.
We asked for an ambulance, they said no. They said at best, they will send a doctor to the apartment in... one hour minimum.
We were passed onto another person. Asked to repeat everything again.
I lost my patience, and basically said: will you send an ambulance or not?
Then followed the nasty part.
Emergency people: "what is his name?"
Us still waiting : " XXX XXXXX"
EP - "erm, is he swiss?"
US - "he is chinese but studies here and has insurance from their swiss school"
EP - "are you sure he has insurance?"
US - "yes, I'm looking at it"
EP - "are you sure it is swiss insurance?"
US - "...yes, it is swiss insurance from a swiss school, which they have attended for over a year"
EP - "ok well the doctor will be there in one hour, if you are in a hurry, maybe go the hospital or the centre in carouge"
I ended up calling them a taxi.
We asked what the person on the other end of the lines name was, the response:
EP - "(PAUSE)....why do you want to know that?"
US - "Just to know who i have been talking to"
EP - "(LONG PAUSE)... sorry we have a rule we cant divulge that information"
US - hahaha sure you do *CLICK*
Now i've been fortunate enough to not need the emergency services, but surely, surely, this isnt anywhere near the norm.
There was a strong chance he had appendicitis from all his symptoms or potentially concussion from falling in the bath. So there was definite urgency.
I understand that there are times where they are rammed and they will try to figure out if it is an emergency or not, but surely benefit of the doubt when someone calls the emergency number?
I'm now inclined to lie next time, to save any of this bs.
Farzam FJun 24, 2015 @ 23:46
Without wanting to sound indifferent to your guest’s plight, there are several factors at stake here.
First, some health insurance premiums cover ambulance transportation for accidents and medical emergencies but not a routine condition. Also, are you aware that an ambulance from, say, Eaux-Vives to the “Collline” clinic can cost over 800 francs? That’s what I would have recently had to pay had I not been covered. So the emergency service is wise to check that the patient will be able to pay the bill.
Secondly, an hour’s wait for an emergency home visit by a doctor is not all that long, especially late in the evening and at weekends.
Moreover, if the doctor visits you at home and decides you need to be rushed to hospital,
he will call an ambulance and the hospital so the waiting time on admission will be less because a preliminary assessment has already been made.
Obviously a taxi is the cheaper option if the patient can be moved that way, but the wait for attention at the hospital or clinic will be longer.
As with anything else, the local emergency services can probably
be improved but when compared to those provided elsewhere
– in the UK, for example – the service in Geneva is pretty
efficient overall.
What’s more, we have the expertise of a university teaching hospital on our doorstep, which is not the case in, say, Ferney or Annemasse.
That said, I hope your friend made a quick and full recovery.
R.
Without wanting to sound indifferent to your guest’s plight, there are several factors at stake here.
First, some health insurance premiums cover ambulance transportation for accidents and medical emergencies but not a routine condition. Also, are you aware that an ambulance from, say, Eaux-Vives to the “Collline” clinic can cost over 800 francs? That’s what I would have recently had to pay had I not been covered. So the emergency service is wise to check that the patient will be able to pay the bill.
Secondly, an hour’s wait for an emergency home visit by a doctor is not all that long, especially late in the evening and at weekends.
Moreover, if the doctor visits you at home and decides you need to be rushed to hospital,
he will call an ambulance and the hospital so the waiting time on admission will be less because a preliminary assessment has already been made.
Obviously a taxi is the cheaper option if the patient can be moved that way, but the wait for attention at the hospital or clinic will be longer.
As with anything else, the local emergency services can probably
be improved but when compared to those provided elsewhere
– in the UK, for example – the service in Geneva is pretty
efficient overall.
What’s more, we have the expertise of a university teaching hospital on our doorstep, which is not the case in, say, Ferney or Annemasse.
That said, I hope your friend made a quick and full recovery.
R.
Ritchie, Jun 25, 2015 @ 07:00
Thanks Ritchie, I get the nuances of the situation (especially as i have worked in a hospital & ER) but to be honest, it just isn't good enough.
I had already asked the guys if they had insurance before the call because I know that ambulances are not cheap (a friends brother is a paramedic).
But once you know the expense, it is surely a personal choice? it is a service right?
There is only so much you can tell over the phone, and if someone has fallen hard due to a primary symptom of pain and nausea, it is in fact an emergency (due to the risk), if only to check for head trauma or appendicitis.
But I would definitely agree with you, had they once worded anything in any way that was "kind, compassionate or soft" way.
It was about money, citizenship, whether we reeeeaaallly would wait for an hour, or if they could fob us off.
Waiting for an hour for a doc to come to your home is fine.... if you called for a doc to your home. If you call for an ambulance... you should get an ambulance.
If the doctor has said it was in fact an emergency, we would have lost at least an hour. I can see what you mean, but it isn't a luxury service. So having to convince someone of the severity and capability to pay due to a foreign name, in order to get a taxi is... well...hmmm
Anyway, he is on the mend, thanks Ritchie
Thanks Ritchie, I get the nuances of the situation (especially as i have worked in a hospital & ER) but to be honest, it just isn't good enough.
I had already asked the guys if they had insurance before the call because I know that ambulances are not cheap (a friends brother is a paramedic).
But once you know the expense, it is surely a personal choice? it is a service right?
There is only so much you can tell over the phone, and if someone has fallen hard due to a primary symptom of pain and nausea, it is in fact an emergency (due to the risk), if only to check for head trauma or appendicitis.
But I would definitely agree with you, had they once worded anything in any way that was "kind, compassionate or soft" way.
It was about money, citizenship, whether we reeeeaaallly would wait for an hour, or if they could fob us off.
Waiting for an hour for a doc to come to your home is fine.... if you called for a doc to your home. If you call for an ambulance... you should get an ambulance.
If the doctor has said it was in fact an emergency, we would have lost at least an hour. I can see what you mean, but it isn't a luxury service. So having to convince someone of the severity and capability to pay due to a foreign name, in order to get a taxi is... well...hmmm
Anyway, he is on the mend, thanks Ritchie
Farzam F, Jun 25, 2015 @ 12:28
