What happened: Vince Vieira, a 536-pound 57-year-old bedridden resident of Longview, Washington, struggles to get to doctors’ appointments due to his inability to walk after an accident, and questions why city emergency staff can’t transport him.
Vieira, who has not seen a doctor in months, views his medical appointments as critical due to his health conditions stemming from a decade-old accident.
Longview EMS Chief Eric Koreis explained that emergency crews are not meant for routine appointments, as this would overwhelm the system.
| More: 536-pound Wash. man questions why FD can’t take him to doctors’ appointments
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, dive into this scenario, covering:
- Resource limitations. The private EMS agency in Longview lacks a bariatric truck needed for the patient’s transport. Frontline medic units are being diverted from emergency calls to handle this non-emergent transport.
- Systemic issues. The patient’s situation highlights a systemic failure in providing necessary care.
- Call for action. The need for multidisciplinary engagement and creative solutions to manage super users like this patient; as well as the importance of improving logistical planning and resource allocation to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care.
- Ethical and logistical considerations. Balancing the need to care for super users while maintaining system efficiency for all patients; as well as addressing the patient’s long-term needs through coordinated efforts rather than relying on emergency services for routine medical transport.
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