Washington D.C. -Two District of Columbia Fire and Rescue paramedics may be facing a 15-day suspension for following a doctor’s instructions to revive a patient using a procedure hospital doctors say is standard in the D.C. area, but which is not “approved” in the department’s treatment protocols.
According to the Washington Times, an emergency room physician at George Washington University Hospital directed the medics to perform the “needle decompression” procedure to revive a man who had been hit by a motorcycle. According to reports, the man’s breathing and heartbeat had stopped. He had suffered multiple injuries, including massive internal injuries, and an air pocket was jeopardizing his one functioning lung and heart. The procedure relieved the pressure, and the man revived on the way to the hospital. He lived for eight hours but died during surgery later.
The department’s medical protocols reportedly have not been revised since 1994. Hospital physicians are supporting the paramedics. Department officials will make a decision on the disciplinary issue after further review of the matter .
