Friday, December 31, 2010

** UK medic’s bravery in South American aircraft crash aftermath to be recognized by Queen

** Chicago paramedics continue to use defective blood glucose strips despite nationwide recall

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** An East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic will receive official recognition from the Queen for his role in saving survivors of a South American plane crash. This is Derbyshire (December 22) said Christopher Davey was vacationing with his wife last April when the aircraft they were on went down following takeoff in Venezuela. Bound for Margarita, the plane dived into the jungle near Angel Falls. After ensuring his wife had survived the impact, Davey returned to the crumpled fuselage to treat two British women. One of the women needed to be resuscitated, while the other had a blocked airway. A third British woman and a young boy also suffered serious head injuries which Davey assisted in treating;the boy, however, later died.  Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire Willie Tucker, who will present the award next month on behalf of the Queen, said Davey risked his own life to render life saving treatment to several people.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Despite a nationwide recall on some defective blood glucose testing strips, Chicago paramedics continue to use them on patients at their department’s behest. WBBM (December 27) quoted Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford as saying though a request for replacement strips has been made, the Christmas holidays have delayed most shipments. Only about half of the requested complement has come in. Langford said the defective equipment will make little difference to patient care, since the strips are merely a supplementary diagnostic tool.