DHSS Press Release |
Date: December 2, 2005 DHSS-118-2005 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DPH REQUESTS BOARD OF MEDICAL PRACTICE INVESTIGATION
After an investigation into the Nov. 19 collision on Delaware Route 1 in Dover in which a woman was mistakenly pronounced dead, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) requested today that the Delaware Board of Medical Practice investigate the actions of two Kent County paramedics and a base station physician involved in responding to the incident. Base station physicians provide medical direction to paramedics in the field and approve pronouncements of death.
Under Title 16, DPH's Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) provides oversight of protocols that include pronouncing deaths at the scene of a response. A preliminary investigation by OEMS found a protocol violation in the pronouncement of death in this incident.
DPH has asked each county EMS service to provide training on pronouncing deaths at their January in-services. In addition, DPH will send a letter that reviews the protocols and procedures for pronouncing deaths to all paramedics and base station physicians in Delaware.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
