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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on June 29, 2011 at 5:55pm

So... You get called to a residence of one of the firefighters wives who drank most of a can of soda that ended up containing a rodent. Yes, a rodent. The mouse or rat was sealed inside the soda can.
How would you handle this?
Do you consider this a medical emergency?
What would you do it it was your wife, family or co-workers wife?

First is it an emergency? IMO, No. Yeah there is some shock value and all that but really the most likely outcome is the person is going to puke anyway. This doesn't need an EMS transport. Get checked out on your own if concerned, but not an emergency.

I would handle this by telling the person to calm down, it isn't a big deal. If they want to get checked out, I would recommend they go on their own and not use an ambulance. If they insist on EMS transport, I have no choice but to do so. The only treatment would consist of obtaining vitals as this is not a life threat.

If it was my family or friends and I was called, I would say keep the can and notify the company and sit back for some settlement.

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Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on June 29, 2011 at 8:27pm

This is not an emergency! I hope that the wife was home alone & the husband had
nothing to do with the call. If he did, then he's going to be supplying beer to the crew that
responded. For a very,very long time. lol

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on June 29, 2011 at 8:31pm

Ahhh... Once again we totally concur on this one. With the can safely stored in her freezer, an appointment was made with her personal physician and she was evaluated. The rest of the story, who knows. What I do know is that it was one of those high caffiene drinks. I think I will stick to black coffee sans any extra ingredients.

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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on June 29, 2011 at 9:08pm

While I have strong doubts as to the veracity of the mouse/rat in a can/bottle "urban myth", given even the slimiest of possibilities it is sufficient enough to warrant limiting my beverage intake to (self) brewed coffee and vodka tonics, and water from the tap.

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Permalink Reply by capcityff on June 29, 2011 at 9:34pm

If I insisted that they take themselves, I could lose my job. We must recommend to every patient that they go to the hospital. Unfortunately that's something that comes in a big city department that constantly has to deal with lawsuits. Also, this is more of an emergency then 80% of our calls. This is why most of us here hate EMS.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on June 30, 2011 at 12:34am

If I insisted that they take themselves, I could lose my job. We must recommend to every patient that they go to the hospital. Unfortunately that's something that comes in a big city department that constantly has to deal with lawsuits. Also, this is more of an emergency then 80% of our calls. This is why most of us here hate EMS.

Insist is a pretty strong word, there is a recommendation and to explain about ambulance bills etc, and explain what would happen at the ER etc, it can help persuade the decision. If the person insists on going by EMS, you take them.

I hear you though on recommending they go to the hospital, although we typically would say it is good to get checked out, but this isn't an emergency case and explain the options available. We also get plenty of basic calls that aren't emergencies and do end up transporting many, but we do get several where they feel comfortable signing a release and we go back in service for the next. I definately agree that such issues does make one dislike EMS.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on June 30, 2011 at 4:49am

OMG!!! Water from the tap?

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Permalink Reply by Beverly on June 30, 2011 at 9:23am

EEEWWWW.....YUCK....GAG!!!
While I find this totally gross I do have to agree this is not a medical emergency unless part of the now carbonated rodent was obstructing her airway. However we must always remember that to the pt this is an emergency no matter what we think. Probably after being able to talk her through the initial shock of this discovery, private transport to her MD. office would in most cases then be the likely course of action. Unless of course she insisted on transport (and I have transported lesser "emergencies").
Just one other thing to keep in mind.....Lewis and Clark almost starved to death and ate their dogs rather than eat fish....

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on July 3, 2011 at 10:47pm

I've changed my mind- I don't want to come and stay with you now Heater...

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on July 3, 2011 at 10:48pm

Mike- that is seriouly gross!!!! I'll never drink from a can again!

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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on July 3, 2011 at 11:47pm

YOU WILL come to my house, and

YOU WILL like it, and

YOU WILL eat whatever I serve you... or

YOU WILL starve {: -)~

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Permalink Reply by Ernie Scheinert on July 3, 2011 at 11:57pm

Wow, and to think that seeing bees in bottles of Jones Sodas back in the 90's was bad, this incident creates a whole new meaning of nasty.

Heather- Ummm, not quite up my alley with the shared recipes...just sayin'...

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