Thursday, March 17, 2011

** Two Arkansas paramedics suspended after declaring live patient dead

** Last US WWI doughboy/medic buried at Arlington National Cemetery

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A pair of Arkansas paramedics have had their licenses suspended after being found guilty of violating EMS protocols by declaring a live patient dead. The Associated Press (March 9) said the Little Rock service revoked the right to practice for Metropolitan EMS providers Pat Bajorek and Brandi Johnson for 34 days each. The two erred last March when called separately to treat a woman found unresponsive in her back yard. Crews led by Bajorek and Johnson both said she was dead. The woman did not receive prehospital care until a detective noticed she was breathing. A third crew then transported her to hospital. The woman died later. The cause of death was an intentional drug and alcohol overdose.

** Flags flew at half mast in many areas across the nation Tuesday to honor the last surviving World War I doughboy, medic Frank Buckles, who died last month at 110. The Maine Public Broadcasting Network (March 14) said Buckles was buried at Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday. During the conflict, Buckles drove an ambulance in France and was also an escort for German prisoners of war who were being repatriated. To commemorate his long life, President Barak Obama issued a proclamation lowering flags in Buckles’ and other veterans’ memory.