ERDoc was right I was on another site before I had all the evidence and facts. I have proof now. As I stated on the other site just because you are a "layperson" doesn't mean that you are "acting out of grief to point the finger to blame someone else". When this happened I was wanting to go back to school but wasnt sure what I wanted to do. I decided to go to EMS school. I am not asking for legal advice because I already know I have a case and I do have a lawyer. I know no one wants to admit that EMS does in fact make mistakes, it does happen. What bothers me is those mistakes may have contributed to his demise. I know what they did and didnt do (some of which is hearsay).
My brother had a reputation with the local hospital, he was known to have very poor hygiene and to be VERY needy. EMS had been called out on several different occasions. These particular EMS were approaching the end of their 24 shift. He presented with these symptoms. They were at my house for WAY too long as he should have been load and go. I knew they didnt an ECG initially as the PCR stated and recently I got the ECG report from ambulance service thats. The first one never existed. The second one I posted was labeled as NSR. It was not, I already had it interpreted. They did not do an ECG, attempt IV access until 30 min later, no cap wave. Minutes before he arrested he had what I initially thought was a seizure but realized it looked different. He postured. There are errors all over PCR. A lot of things were not documented, ALL the symptoms, no description, onset, duration of said seizure, the three failed IV attempts, chief was listed as cardiac arrest and it should have been that he couldnt breathe. He was having trouble speaking full sentences and I told them he couldnt breathe. Chief complaint should be the presenting symptom said by the patient or family member not the end result.
They panicked when this all went down, whoever reported the information to the ER was rattled. According to PCR they arrived at ER at one time and ER records say a later time. I knew they were there longer than the PCR stated. They couldnt even intubate because his trachea had deviated left. They certanly couldnt gain IV access with his extremities clamped down. So no initial ECG, no Oxygen, no IV, no cap wave, no cardiac monitor. They did the 2 lead because they didnt have time for a 12 lead. His symptoms were not taken seriously, I get they didnt realize how serious it was but thats why you have protocols for what should be done for resp distress, none of which was done at first. Funny thing is the previous call that wasnt life threatening the first two things they did was gain IV access and cardiac monitor, they were out of my house within 10 minutes. They plain and simple didnt want to touch, I admit he smelled but EMS comes in contact with many different fluids, he smelled particularly bad with his diaphoresis. They wanted him to physically get up and walk to the stair chair but he wasnt physically able to . It took 30 minutes before they finally did when I yelled at them to help him, my brother had been helplessly flopping around trying to do what they asked him to do. His limbs simply would not allow it, his body was out of his control, he couldnt walk.
It bothers me that the PCR clearly shows an attempt to cover it up, I guess they hoped my aunt and I wouldnt dig further. I have mad respect for EMS, its not an easy job but it requires empathy, respect, urgency, complete dedication to the patient even if they are difficult and you would really rather to pass this one up. I have been there when I was MA, some patients make you *dread* but you still have to put your smile and do your job. I have nothing against any of you I am just trying to understand why all this happened, wrong time, wrong place. They should have observed the danger instead of assuming it wasnt. No one followed protocol for prehospital assessment. Its funny for so long I didnt know what I wanted to with my life. Out of this tradgedy it became clear. I had wanted to be a EMT ever since I was a kid and I would really like to stay here and be part of your community. It is important for all EMS to stay on their toes planning to expect the unexpected in every single call.
