Tuesday, May 19, 2009

** North Carolina medic collapses and dies at call scene

** DNRs in Oregon go high tech

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Medics in Pender County, North Carolina are in shock today, after one of their own died suddenly following a call. The Associated Press (May 15) said Union Rescue Squad practitioner Bonnie McNeill, 50, collapsed Thursday morning as she prepared to drive the EMS unit from the scene. McNeill had responded to the home after being hailed around 6:30 a.m. to provide additional backup. Employed with the squad since 2006, McNeill worked both as a paid employee and a volunteer.

** Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR) orders in Oregon are apparently going high tech. That is the word from the Gazette Times (AP/May 15) which said this week will see the sheets accessible electronically through a Oregon Health & Science University database. According to the newspaper, medics treating frail or elderly patients with life threatening conditions can call the site to determine whether a DNR is in place and whether the one on file matches the current patient. University Ethics in Health Care Director Dr. Susan Tole said the approach was unique in that the order would be readily available during crisis situations. Tole said too often the pink forms, used since 1991, can’t be found amidst the upset such situations cause.