‘Fatal’ crash paramedics failed- review

An Ambulance Victoria review has found the two paramedics who wrongly declared a car crash victim dead did not follow strict guidelines.

Daniel Huf, 30, was pronounced dead by intensive-care paramedics after his car collided with a four-wheel drive near Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne, on Sunday April 1.

The paramedics were later called back urgently to treat him after State Emergency Service volunteers found a weak pulse.

Ambulance Victoria CEO Greg Sassella said the paramedics had admitted their mistake and steps had been taken to ensure the bungle would not be repeated.

‘The paramedics involved in the case have acknowledged their error, have been co-operative and are understandably upset by their actions,’ he said in a statement on Friday.

‘The paramedics have not since been working together and will continue to be rostered each with a senior paramedic for further supervision and education.’

Mr Sassella said the review found the ambulance officers had not adhered to strict criteria that paramedics must follow to declare a patient dead.

‘The service has taken steps to prevent this from occurring again,’ Mr Sassella said.

‘Ambulance Victoria paramedics have been advised of the requirement to adhere strictly to the guidelines for determining that life is extinct.

‘Universities providing paramedic education will also be contacted to ensure that the lessons learned in the case are applied in the education of future paramedics.’

One of the paramedics had been stripped of his role as a teacher to other paramedics but both had been allowed to continue working, Mr Sassella said.

He said the family of the crash victim, who is still recovering in hospital, had been openly provided with information, and included in discussions about the review.

‘We reiterated our apologies and our thoughts remain with the patient and with them,’ Mr Sassella said.

The review was conducted by Ambulance Victoria’s Clinical Incident Review Committee and the Medical Advisory Committee.

124836 20120413 AEST

( Keyword: Crash )

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