r/Paramedics • u/Ok_Assistance69 • Jun 21 '25
US Overruling captain!
Just getting opinions here. Other night we had a well known psych patient who’s not only know to verbally accost medics/hospital staff, but can get aggressive. Delt with her multiple times where our local PD had her cuffed, hands on a taser. On scene for the THIRD time that week same patient, different captain (not mine, was working OT) and I told this captain “we’re going to need PD” Captain replied back “THIS IS NOT A PD ISSUE” very loud and aggressively I might add. I stated “she can get aggressive” he replied back “SHES NOT AGGRESSIVE”and he denied calling PD. Once she was loaded on the stretcher, she started to become verbally hostile, then and only then did the captain call PD. Then I was instructed to go to my patient. She started getting verbally hostile with me. I was told to get in the engine at this point and the other medics would run the call. PD followed the medic unit to our local ER.
Now, we all learned “BSI/scene safety” right? I always thought it was a medics discretion if it came to safety. KC firefighter died over a psychiatric patient after being stabbed by her. Another psych call, patient flew out the back doors and ended up being killed by a semi truck.
Does anyone think this needs to go up the chain? I feel mine AND my crews safety was compromised by a captain with a superiority complex and this captain has been known for his temper. His behavior was unprofessional, unacceptable and unbecoming an officer.
Opinions???
1
u/davethegreatone Jun 22 '25
It's your scene and I'd back you on that.
But I think now that it's Monday Morning Quarterback time, it's good to examine the captain's motivations here. Was he trying to protect the patient from known agressive law enforcement (my local PD are great, but we all know "that one department" that has cops who always escalate everything).
Is there a chance you personally have poor de-escalation skills, and another provider could have talked this patient into a calm and normal ride? (Not accusing - just asking. We all know some psyche patients simply can't be talked down because their illness makes them incapable of that).
Tactically, your captain made the wrong call in overruling you. You as the medic made a medical decision based on your knowledge of the patient's pathology, and the captain can't blow in and change your medical calls unless he's taking over the care - and doing THAT is super dicey anyway.
Strategically ... I'm just saying that since I don't know you OR your captain, there's a chance he made the right strategic call, and this should be evaluated just in case.