Florida medic fired after failing to treat stroke victim who later died
A Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedic has been fired and three others suspended without pay after a 10-week investigation concluded they failed to adequately care for a stroke patient who later died, the Tampa Bay Times reported this week.
Crystle Galloway, 30, became unresponsive July 4, one day after she underwent a Caesarian section, according to the Times. Her mother called 911 when she began to show stroke symptoms, but the responding fire medics reportedly neglected to take Galloway’s vital signs or transport her to the hospital.
Instead, the medics helped Galloway into her mother’s car so she could be driven to a Brandon Regional Hospital emergency room—one that was unequipped to treat stroke patients. She ultimately slipped into a coma and died five days later.
“To the family, I do sincerely apologize and give my heartfelt apologies for our lack of care and service,” Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill said at a press conference. “I hope, and I had hoped, that these four fire medics would have been more forthcoming and owned this. At some point I think it would be good for them to apologize themselves instead of me.”
Merrill said that, aside from medic Andrew J. Martin, none of the paramedics showed “a shred of remorse” or regret for their actions. Lt. John Morris, 36, was fired after six years with the department.
“He said he would do everything again in the same way and that he can tell just by looking at a patient what they need,” Merrill said. “I think that’s horrendous, and so that weighed heavily on my decision to terminate him.”
Read the full story from the Times:
After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.