Were EMTs Effective in Their Response?
Subject: 68-year-old Caucasian male with a medical background including alcoholism and three knee replacements. He was taking oxycodone and Ambien, and reported experiencing "burning" nerve pain. In 2021, my father passed away due to complications from "hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy following cardiopulmonary arrest caused by airway obstruction due to a large food bolus"—essentially, he choked on meat. While the alcohol in his system and the unknown dosage of oxycodone played a role in the incident, this isn't the focal point of my inquiry. At the time, my mother, who was unaware of his intoxication, witnessed him choking and attempted to assist by striking his back forcefully multiple times (she was unable to lift him). After he collapsed, she swiftly called for an ambulance, which reportedly arrived within minutes. Due to the rapidity of events, the exact duration between his collapse and the EMTs beginning their intervention is unclear—possibly around five minutes. Following my review of the emergency response report, it indicated the paramedics performed the Heimlich maneuver a few times before initiating CPR, subsequently attempting to extract the food with tongs before resuming CPR. My mother recalled that despite the delay, they managed to restart his heart, transporting him to the hospital with the belief he would recover. However, it was later revealed that he was deprived of oxygen for an estimated 40 minutes during the ordeal, resulting in brain death, and it was suspected he had aspirated some food into his lungs. Ultimately, we had to make the difficult decision to withdraw life support after being advised of his minimal chance of survival, all of which transpired within a single day. This leads me to ponder: Did the EMTs follow a suitable sequence of actions? If they had removed the obstruction initially and then performed CPR, could that have improved his survival chances? Is it pointless to conduct CPR when an airway obstruction persists? Alternatively, was the fatal aspect related to the cardiac arrest rather than the choking incident?
Answers (1)
3/29/2025, 11:20:34 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about your father's situation. It’s understandable to have questions about the effectiveness of the emergency response, especially given the tragic outcome. Addressing your inquiries:
In summary: The sequence of emergency interventions performed by the EMTs seems appropriate given the circumstances, but immediate removal of an obstruction can significantly affect the survival outcome. Choking can lead to brain damage due to lack of oxygen, and CPR is less effective if the airway remains blocked.
Explanation:
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Choking and Cardiac Arrest: In cases of choking, the primary immediate concern is to restore the airway. Once an airway is obstructed (as in your father's case), oxygen cannot reach the lungs, leading to a rapid decrease in oxygen in the bloodstream. This lack of oxygen can quickly lead to cardiac arrest and brain injury.
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Emergency Response Protocols: The standard procedure for choking involves trying to dislodge the obstruction first (e.g., Heimlich maneuver). If the obstruction isn’t effectively removed, or if cardiac arrest occurs, CPR is initiated. Unfortunately, if the airway remains blocked during CPR, it may not be effective in restoring proper oxygen flow.
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Impact of Time: Studies indicate that brain damage can start occurring within 4-6 minutes of oxygen deprivation. Although the EMTs arrived quickly, the estimated 40 minutes without oxygen before intervention would likely have contributed significantly to the devastating effects.
Next Steps:
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Understand Emergency Protocols: To gain clarity, consider reaching out to local emergency services to understand their protocols for choking. This can help clarify if the sequence of actions aligns with best practices.
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Educate on Choking Response: Familiarize yourself and your family with choking response techniques. Organizations like the American Heart Association provide resources on how to respond in choking situations effectively. This preparation can be crucial in future scenarios.
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Seek Counseling or Support Groups: Losing a loved one under such circumstances can be traumatic. Consider engaging with a counselor or support group for bereaved families, which might help process these feelings.
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Discuss with family: Open a dialogue with family members about your father's incident. This can foster a sense of shared understanding and support among those affected by the loss.
If you have further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask. Remember, it's important to take care of your own emotional needs during this difficult time.
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