October 9, 2000
To Whom It May Concern:
Rice University Emergency Medical Services (REMS) is committed to providing quality emergency medical care to the entire Rice community. Alcohol related medical emergencies are no exception to this commitment. If it should become necessary to summon REMS for an intoxicated individual, we should be contacted, as always, through the Rice University Police Department (RUPD) dispatcher at campus extension 6000. Appropriate resources will be dispatched to the scene.
For the past several years, it has been the policy of both the RUPD and REMS that calls originating as medical emergencies will be handled as such by the responding REMS personnel. The identity of all patients is held in strict confidence by REMS. Referrals of these students for disciplinary action will not be made. Although a police officer may respond to assist the emergency medical technicians, a police report will not be generated unless other exigent circumstances exist.
The philosophy behind this policy is simple. Both the RUPD and REMS wish to make the decision to call for our services as easy as possible. We absolutely do not want members of the Rice community to hesitate to call for service because they fear potential disciplinary repercussions. If, however, a pattern of substance abuse is suspected by responding REMS personnel, it is our responsibility to assist that individual by referring him or her to a counseling or rehabilitative program.
I encourage you to utilize the services available at Rice University through REMS, and to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
David Melville
EMS Director
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Rice University Emergency Medical Services, rems@rice.edu |
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