 |
| Sarah Thomas, 30, died six hours after EMS refused to take her to the hospital oradminister her the life-saving Solu-Cortef injection. |
I send my most sincere condolences to Sarah's friends and family.
I am so rattled. This is unjust. It's so avoidable!
A simple injection of Solu-Cortef could have saved Sarah. It costs less than $10.
Taking Sarah to the hospital could have saved her.
Something must be done to stop the medical profession's ignorance about adrenal insufficiency and cavalier know-it-all attitude.
We must be able to count on someone to help us. How can we rest easy each day, wondering who will listen, who will believe us?
Please support the group, Adrenal Insufficiency United, whose goals are to educate EMS personnel and ensure that Solu-Cortef is carried on every ambulance in the US. Purchase one of their emergency kits and give a CD to the fire stations in your area.
You will save others as you work to save yourself. - Melissa
*****************
You will save others as you work to save yourself. - Melissa
*****************
Incompetent paramedics told dying woman: ' You just have a tummy bug'
Woman would have survived if she was taken to hospital and given a simple injection
Two paramedics have been struck off for blundering over the tragic death of a dental nurse after telling her: "You just have a tummy bug."
Sarah Thomas, 30, died at home because her symptoms were not taken seriously by the two "incompetent" ambulancemen who refused to take her to hospital.
Paramedic David Glover told her she just had the stomach bug – even though she was barely conscious and struggling to breathe.
Ms Thomas would have survived if she was taken to hospital and given a simple injection. But she died six hours later.
A disciplinary hearing was told Glover and colleague Michael Davies then tried to cover up their mistake by fabricating her clinical record.
The pair were banned from working as paramedics by a disciplinary panel of the Health and Care Professions Council.
Panel chair Ian Crookall said: "The public would be appalled at the lack of competence.
"The facts of the case would undermine public confidence in the profession in the eyes of any member of the public who was aware of the circumstances.
"When there is a case of proven dishonesty it is necessary to uphold regulatory standards by demonstrating that such behaviour is not acceptable."
Sarah was visited at her home in Port Talbot, South Wales, by the two paramedics following a 999 call.
A Health and Care Professions Council hearing was told how Glover failed check her vital signs including pulse, breathing and blood oxygenation.
Ms Thomas had diabetes and her pituitary gland had been removed after surgery for a brain tumour. (Blogger note: Sarah had Cushing's and secondary adrenal insufficiency after pituitary surgery).
But the hearing in Cardiff was told that Glover failed to ask suitable questions about her medical history.
He told her: "You just have a stomach bug. You are better off here Sarah, this is the best place for you".
But Ms Thomas died just six hours later of adrenal insufficiency – when her body stopped producing the necessary steroid hormones. (Blogger emphasis).
Glover and Davies, who were working for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, then "colluded to fabricate a patient record".
The pair added information they got later from another paramedic in an attempt to cover up their failures.
Mr Crookall added: "The panel was of the view that the established failure to conduct a proper assessment.
"The subsequent dishonest fabrication and collusion are very serious, representing a disregard for fundamental and core duties.
"It had the potential of causing very significant degree of harm – including death."
**************
I only have two words: NO SHIT (Blogger emphasis).
**************
I only have two words: NO SHIT (Blogger emphasis).
