Shaq and I are dispatched to a suicide attempt by carbon monoxide poisoning. The MDT says someone has been in their running car in the locked garage all night. The caller says the person is still alive, and that they have turned the car off, and opened the garage door.
PD has us staging down the road.
It’s barely 5 in the morning.
We didn’t get breakfast this morning.
And I haven’t tucked my shirt in yet.
PD clears us to come in to the house. They gave me just enough time to tuck my shirt in.
As we get close, one of the cops stops us in the street.
“This guy is being a jackass, and he might have a weapon in the car or something. So just hang out here for a little while, cool?”
You don’t have to tell me twice. “Cool, bro. Just let us know when to do what.”
So Shaq puts the ambulance back in park. I start to wonder what the hospital is serving for breakfast in the cafeteria. Maybe they’ll have those cheese grits again. Or the hashbrown casserole. My culinary contemplation is interrupted by a knock on Shaq’s window.
Some guy in a bathrobe obviously needs some attention.
“Yes, sir, can I help you?” asks my partner.
“Yeah. What’s going on up there?” pointing at the house in the cul-de-sac. “What happened?”
“Nothing, really. The police are taking care of everything.”
“Well why is the ambulance here?”
“I’m not really certain, sir. I imagine that someone is sick.”
“Well, what were you dispatched to?”
“I’m not really certain I can tell you that.”
“Don’t you know who I am?”
Shaq looks at me. I shrug. I’ve only halfway been paying attention to their conversation, anyways. “No, sir. I don’t believe we have ever met.”
“I’m one of your medical directors, Doctor Bathrobe.”
This just got interesting.
“Well, Doctor Bathrobe, you should certainly be aware of the fact that I’m not supposed to share any information with the general public. That could possibly be a HIPAA violation. If you would like to call dispatch, I am certain they would be happy to give you any information you desired.”