Yea it's unprofessional, but those guys have a really stressful job that doesn't pay that much, so the joking around is a way of releasing tension in a bad situation.

A stern counseling session is in order for these EMTs, followed by an apology to the patient. The company should be informed.  I am confident that a letter to them detailing the circumstances would result in at least the "counseling" session.

And although I wouldn't want anyone to lose their job over it, the dodge that they were "releasing tension" doesn't carry any water with me.  This isn't a bad 80's hospital-based sitcom, this is a person in need who deserves dignified and caring treatment.   

I think the comment about the call being a joke was totally inappropriate, but the 'hey baby" comment doesn't strike me as that bad. These people work very closely with each other and make relationships. I agree that they need to release some tension to keep a positive attitude in the work place, but there is a time and a place for everything and making comments in front of the patient is NOT the time OR the place. While I don't think anyone should lose their job over this, I do think a verbal warning in this situation would be appropriate.

I'd have to agree-the "Hey baby "comment seems fine to me,but the regarding the other comment, I think that they should be reminded that those are people undergoing trauma,and that nobody appreciates their call being refered to as a joke.We don't know if that was a one-time slip or a person who is routinely inconsiderate to patients.I too,was recently offended/angry about a comment that I heard someone in uniform make.After a few days of mental name-calling,I decided to just consider the source and the situation and I feel better about it.Sometimes it helps to see the offending persons perspective.So-I'd be irritated,but probably not take it too far.

rm6 is right on joking is a way to relieve stress. nothing more. Also we are talking about a semi-conscious patient that may or may not have understood what he/she heard. Countygirl is right that there is a time and place for such jokes and comments. Who know maybe the Ambulance crew had a ride along and they were hoping for a exciting call instead of the usual medical aid call.

Really good point-if it was a ride along or someone new,it changes the picture a bit.

Oddly I feel that if they had a ride along or if it was someone new it would make the comment worse.  I feel like when you have a ride along you should be extra professional and let the person taking it all in see how things should be done, especially if this is someone interested in joining the field. I think it is a disservice to their ride along otherwise, and it send the message to young hopefuls that, "Hey, it's OK to treat people this way." Now if these comments were from someone new I'd say they have a rocky road ahead of themselves, and maybe they are in the wrong field. All patients should be treated the same whether it is a trauma patient, a seizure patient, or someone having a panic attack! A new person should REALLY know this especially not having been on the job that long and really having had to deal with the normal day to day stuff.

Now the only way this would be different in my mind was if the person doing the ride along had made the comment, but these aren't even real scenarios......that we know of.

No there not real scenarios but I would bet that the majority or ride alongs would much rather see a  fiery car accident then a Epileptic..... I would..... wouldn't you

''also while the paramedics are supposed to be relaying the patients condition the patient hears the paramedics say to the nurse at the hospital "hey baby did you miss me?" ''

When did this conversation take place? was it over the radio before the ambulance reached the hospital or was it when the patient arrived at the hospital.......I can't see the paramedic saying this over the radio.......If it was said when the patient arrived at the hospital then so what. The patient was stable and the paramedic most likely already notified the hospital of the patients condition and vitals...

Gube, my comments above didn't include the "hey baby" comment. I should have clarified a bit. I agree with you though that if it was said over the radio it wasn't appropriate, but I don't see them doing that either.

To be honest the first thing that came to mind when I read the, "hey baby did you miss me? " comment was that it had been a fairly busy day and they had just been there and they said this as a joke. Maybe that's why I didn't feel like it was that bad.

I agree....

The scenario I presented was what happened with my brother just this last Sunday. and the two comments were made while in the ambulance before they arrived at the hospital. Yes he was semi conscious but I know he heard correctly because he was also telling us what we had said to him as well. they were also rude to his Fiance and my  mother.

Rebekahsmommy, I have a few concerns that are off topic.  The top of your post talks about the right of parents to home school their children.  I take it you are a homeschooling parent.  I do fear for your children's education as you have so many spelling and grammar errors in your post it makes it difficult to read.  I don't mean to offend you but if a child over 3rd grade turned that into me, I would send it back for revisions.  Also, there is a spell check (thank you TN) available before you post a blog. As a former homeschooling parent, you need to realize it gives homeschooling a bad image when a blog like this appears.

ANONYMOUSER, I did not come on here to get a grammatical lesson from someone I do not even know. I came here to ask a serious question and you came on here and "attacked my grammar." I hate to break it to you but there is nothing wrong with my grammar. I am not a  home schooling parent, YET. You have absolutely no reason to fear for my child's education. Oh and you did mean to offend me otherwise you would not have done it. I do have just one question for you.

How does my post give homeschooling a bad image?

RebekahsMommy how is your brother doing now? Did your brother receive good care while in the Ambulance? Complain to the ambulance company if you think it would make you feel better . I don't think it a big deal and if you weren't there to hear it your self then its kinda like hear-say.....................I still don't believe that a paramedic would talk like that over the radio that could be monitored by his anyone including his supervisors.

Gube thank you for asking about my brother. He is still a little weak but hes doing good. He seems to have been on the wrong meds which is why it wasnt controlling the seizures completely. The epilepsy is due to blunt force trauma and so its a recent "development". 

As for what I am going to do NOTHING. it is not my place and really i wanted to see if i was thinking wrong or if i was right in thinking it was rude. If my brother wants to pursue something thats up to him.