The story of this woman just happened to register on the Paramedics gore meter and probably were just beside themselves wanting to talk about their patient and the media gave them that opportunity. Concern for the patient or familiy was probably not a thought. There is a term used in the FDs to describe this excited state but since this is a family style forum, I'll refrain from using it.
Vent, I sure hope you don't make sweeping jump to conclusion judgments with your patient's as you just did with the paramedics from the Stamford Emergency Medical Services. You seem to have a tendency to give hospitals a pass for talking to the media, but if a pre-hospital provider does, your ready to label them as gore mongers and boil them in oil. As a matter of fact, I find your constant condescending attitude toward EMS providers on this subject pompous and unprofessional for a woman of your education.
Your quoted statement above couldn't be any further from the truth to what events actually took place prior to the interview and during the interview.
So let's move on to some facts I've gathered so far. This afternoon I conducted some interviews of my own with a key person directly involved with the patient as well as the Associated Press interview.
First, it should be noted that Stamford Emergency Medical Services (SEMS) has an extremely close working relationship with the Stamford Hospital where the woman was taken and SEMS is the only EMS provider in Stamford.
The interviews took place several days after the incident and was coordinated by the SEMS Chief of Operations and SEMS Executive Director, who by the way herself is a health care attorney. This was jointly worked with SEMS close partner, Stamford Hospital. During the hospital interviews, the patient's family also participated.
Prior to granting the interview with the Associated Press, both the Chief of Operations and the Executive Director for SEMS met with their board of directors and obtained their approval as well. It should be noted that some of the SEMS board members also sit on the Stamford Hospital board.
It was made clear to the reporter that Captain Ackley would not go into any in depth detail to specific injuries. He would only discuss what he and the medics saw and their on scene experience. During the interview, the reporter did a follow-up question concerning the patient's eye injuries and Caption Ackley refused to discuss any more details as to her eye injury. That can be clearly seen in the interview his refusal to elaborate.
So you're attack, "
this woman just happened to register on the Paramedics gore meter and probably were just beside themselves wanting to talk about their patient and the media gave them that opportunity" is completely unwarranted.
Vent, you and I clearly disagree on this topic now and in the past and I don't expect to change your views. Nor am I trying to. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for you and your work. All I attempting to do is to educate you to the facts of the case and perhaps you will consider the notion that not all paramedics are gore mongers looking for their 15 minutes of fame. And when their 15 minutes of fame does arrive, it can be handled in a proper and professional manner as the folks from Stamford Emergency Medical Services clearly demonstrated.
