On the medical radio service, the phone rings 500 times a night. Here people seek initial medical advice – even during the holidays. We were traveling with a team in Vienna.
The night is freezing, the streets of Vienna seem quiet and deserted. But behind the windows of an inconspicuous office building on Landstrasse there is a light: the medical radio service has started. There is no peace here, but rather hectic: telephones ring incessantly, worried people seek help. When the GP is not on duty and the route to the hospital is too difficult, it is this invisible lifeline that keeps the city’s medical care running – for 55 years.
In urgent cases, doctors come out
The head office of the medical radio service is not large, but very functional. This is where the wires meet. “We have ten telephone stations where trained paramedics record callers’ details and perform a computer-aided initial assessment,” an employee explains. Depending on the urgency, it is decided whether a doctor will be sent for a home visit, whether a telephone consultation is sufficient or whether the emergency services should be alerted. Especially during the Christmas period, the volume increases to up to 500 calls per night.
Many matters can be clarified over the telephone
The majority of the questions relate to GP activities: blood pressure problems, pain or infections. But life-threatening emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke, occur again and again and require referral to emergency services. “We don’t leave anyone alone on the phone,” a spokesperson emphasizes. “In acute emergencies, we guide the caller by telephone until the emergency services arrive.” If the telephone advice is not sufficient, doctors and paramedics must be called. The “Krone” was allowed to be there around the holidays.
A well-rehearsed duo
Dr. Peter Haubenberger and paramedic Wilfried Szupper have been working at the medical radio service for years and form a well-rehearsed duo. This evening is the first mission to a family with three children. Little Noah has sore eyes and a fever. “Especially in children, a visual diagnosis is often crucial,” says Haubenberger as he checks the boy’s vital signs. “You can immediately see whether a child is of vital importance or whether something serious is going on.” After the examination the signal is: eye drops and rest are sufficient. Mother Stephanie is relieved: “Now we can finally go on holiday.”
Another mission results in a man with severe back pain who can barely move. In a poor apartment, Haubenberger gives a pain injection. “After just a few minutes he was able to get up again,” the doctor reports. “But he definitely has to go to his doctor on Monday.”
A challenging job
The work of the medical radio service is diverse. Surgeries involving high blood pressure or shortness of breath are particularly challenging, and prompt assistance is crucial. “We rarely drive with flashing lights, but if necessary we have the option,” Haubenberger explains. But it is not only the medical challenges that characterize the work. “You get to know Vienna from a completely different side,” says Wilfried Szupper. “The variety of calls reflects the most diverse realities of life.” Particularly moving are the moments when the mere presence of the doctor removes panic and creates confidence.
Lifeline for many Viennese
For many Viennese, this service is an indispensable anchor in medical emergencies. “It is a demanding but also incredibly satisfying job,” summarizes Haubenberger. “At the end of the day, it’s about being able to help – no matter the time of day.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
