State rules two Woonsocket EMTs failed to provide adequate care in premature infant's death
Editor's note: Both EMTs mentioned in this article had their licenses reinstated in October 2022. Find our most recent coverage here: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/10/13/licenses-reinstated-2-woonsocket-emts-after-premature-infants-death/10484225002/
State health officials have suspended the licenses of two Woonsocket emergency medical technicians after concluding that they failed to provide proper care to a premature newborn who died on Aug. 1.
The Rhode Island Department of Health took disciplinary action against Jarrod P. Martin and Shawn P. Hoyle, both employees of the Woonsocket Fire Department, after an investigation confirmed allegations in a complaint that they did not follow proper procedure after responding to a home and finding a woman who had just given birth into a toilet to a premature baby at 24 weeks.
According to a summary of the investigation, when Martin and Hoyle arrived at the home just before 12:30 p.m., the infant was in the toilet with its umbilical cord still intact. They clamped the cord, cut it, and then left the child in the toilet while they brought the mother into the living room.
When they returned, the report states they checked the infant’s arm for a pulse and detected none. They also found no movement in the limbs after tapping the feet.
According to the report, Martin and Hoyle wrapped the baby in a towel and put it inside a biohazard bag, which they placed behind the mother on an ambulance stretcher while she was taken to Landmark Medical Center. After arriving at the hospital, the mother was taken inside while the baby was left in the bag in the ambulance with another member of the Woonsocket Fire Department, the report states.
After a doctor asked about the infant, a nurse retrieved the infant from the ambulance.
“Upon returning to the emergency department, it was determined Patient I demonstrated a palpable pulse and hospital emergency department staff attempted resuscitation,” the Health Department report says.
Resuscitation was unsuccessful and the infant was pronounced dead by the attending physician.
Emergency Medical Services Protocols
The Health Department determined that Martin and Hoyle did not comply with Rhode Island Statewide Emergency Medical Services Protocols, including provisions governing routine patient care and neonatal resuscitation.
The department also found that they contravened separate state EMS Rules, including clauses prohibiting gross negligence in providing medical care, unprofessional conduct and violations of federal or state law.
The case was reviewed by interim RIDOH director Utpala Bandy.
“Public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action,” the Health Department report says.
Martin has been licensed as an EMT since 2001 and Hoyle since 2007.
The complaint against them was made on Aug. 4 and the Health Department suspended their cardiac licenses on Aug. 12. Complaints to the department are considered anonymous and confidential, according to spokesman Joseph Wendelken.
Martin and Hoyle have requested a hearing before an administrative hearing officer, Wendelken said.
The Woonsocket Fire Department did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Woonsocket EMTs have licenses suspended after premature infant dies
