Paramedics having coffee, in the gas station with the patient on the stretcher

A disciplinary investigation was launched at the Gorj County Ambulance Service, after a medical crew on mission was stationed at a gas station for more than 30 minutes.

The crew was transporting a patient from Târgu Jiu to a hospital in the capital, and in Vâlcea county they met another ambulance returning from Bucharest. All this time, the staff decided to stay for a coffee. According to the regulations and protocols in force, such breaks are prohibited.

“Socializing” over coffee, with the patient on the stretcher

The incident happened a few days ago, in a gas station in Vâlcea county. The medical crew that had left Târgu-Jiu had to urgently take a patient with a broken leg to a hospital in the capital for surgery.

On the way, the crew that was on the mission met another medical crew of the Gorj Ambulance Service, which was returning from Bucharest, after transporting a patient. The staff decided to stay together for a coffee at the gas station.

All this time, the patient, who had to be taken to Bucharest and enter the operating room, was waiting in the ambulance. According to the GPS data, the medical crew stayed at the gas station for 30 minutes.

Disciplinary investigation

Shortly after learning of this incident, the management of the Gorj Ambulance Service started a disciplinary investigation, and all the people involved were interviewed. The driver and the nurse in question are now on scheduled vacation, but upon their return, they will give explanations for what happened.

According to local media, everything was found out after the patient on the stretcher panicked that she was left alone in the ambulance and called an acquaintance from the Gorj County Ambulance Service to ask what was happening. As it conveys Antenna 3 CNNthe results of the internal investigation could be known next week.