Ethics, safety, and responsibility in the ambulance

As an ambulance attendant you work with people in some of their most vulnerable moments. Therefore, ethics and responsibility are not fine words but something you live out in every single action. And you must be able to do it while you yourself are under pressure.

The patient is a human being, not a task. Talk to him, explain what you do and maintain his dignity — even when he is unconscious or scared. An adult patient generally has the right to decide on his own treatment, and you must respect that while doing your best to help.

You get access to private and sensitive information about the patient's health and life. It is confidential. You may not tell others about patients — not even family or friends, and certainly not on social media. This also applies to identifiable stories where the name is not mentioned.

You cannot help anyone if you yourself get injured. Therefore, you must always assess the safety before you go in: traffic, fire, electricity, violence, or infection. Use your personal protective equipment and never enter a situation that is too dangerous — call for help instead.

• 01Follow the treatment guidelines — they are there for the patient's sake
• 02Stay within your competencies and call for help if needed
• 03Document honestly, even if something went wrong
• 04Talk with colleagues after difficult experiences

“You meet people on their worst day. How you treat them, they remember for the rest of their lives.”