Widow Makes Stunning Allegations Against Maine Medics
A widow has made some stunning allegations about her treatment by a Maine ambulance crew that was transporting her dying husband to the hospital last week following a skiing accident at Sugarloaf Ski Area.
Dana Morse, a nurse practitioner from Nova Scotia, alleges that paramedics from Northstar Ambulance pulled over, let her out of the ambulance, and left her standing by the side of the road while they continued their transport of David Morse to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. She further alleges that when paramedics later determined David was dead, they discontinued transporting his body to the hospital and returned it to the ski area.
The bizarre story began when the Morse’s were skiing at Sugarloaf on January 12, 2012. David Morse lost control and struck a tree at around 3.30 pm. Sugarloaf Ski Patrol responded, packaged Mr. Morse and transported him to the Sugarloaf First Aid Clinic at the base of the mountain. NorthStar Ambulance took over Morse’s care as his condition steadily deteriorated. Dana Morse alleges that paramedics failed to properly assess and treat her husband, focusing more on a suspected elbow fracture than on his internal injuries and declining vital signs.
According to Dana, it took paramedics approximately 30 minutes to load David into the ambulance, during which time he went into respiratory arrest. Dana’s request to ride in the back of the ambulance with her husband was turned down and she was told to sit in the front passenger seat for the one hour ride to Franklin Memorial Hospital. During the journey Dana pleaded with paramedics to ride in the back with her husband. The driver of the ambulance allegedly stopped the vehicle, and once Dana exited the passenger’s seat, drove off without waiting for her to get in the back.
Dana claims she flagged down a car, went back to the ski resort to get her car, and then went to Franklin Memorial Hospital. Once at the hospital, Dana discovered that the ambulance had not brought David in. In fact, hospital personnel were unaware the Northstar ambulance had even initiated a transport of a critically injured patient. A nurse at the hospital contacted the paramedics and learned that because they concluded that David had died en route, the ambulance had taken the body back to the ski resort clinic.
Franklin Memorial Hospital, which owns NorthStar Ambulance, apparently learned of the story through media reports emanating from Dana Morse. They have since launched an internal investigation into the matter. The Carrabassett Valley Police Department and the State Medical Examiner are also investigating.
This is ridiculous, that woman is grieving and is trying to point the finger at someone. I have been treated by Northstar before and they were nothing but professional and supportive. I hope the real story comes out and that woman retracts her horrible accusations.
Thanks upsetmom1
I think we are definitely missing something here. One friend contacted me offline and suggested perhaps when the man coded the protocols required the ambulance to go to the nearest medical facility – which may have been back at the mountain. That doesn’t really align with the wife’s allegations (she claims she assisted with CPR at the mountain before the transport started) but at least it would explain part of what occurred.
Wow….all kinds of questions. Curt, would love to know about the closest facility theory. If they are owned by the hospital how did the hospital NOT know of the fact that picked up a guy and were headed in. Flip that over and wonder if there is cell or radio coverage in a remote area where they are in the mountains and an hour away from the hospital. God forbid,do they not continue transport because they are not going to paid on the transport because he is a Canadian citizen? I know far fetched of a thought but isn’t that why EMTALA and all of our anti dumping laws exist? So much that is missing–what did the ski area do when the crew came back to give them a dead body? Can not wait to hear what comes of this and despite all the questions I just mentioned, in what world is it okay to leave an upset family member, no matter the challenge they present on the side of a road in a snow storm.
Kelly
I am making an assumption that the ski area had a doctor-staffed clinic. If that is not the case then the closest medical facility issue is out the window. I agree, how could the ER not know they were transporting… lots of questions and no one with the answers is talking.
I’d really like to hear the rest of the story. As it sounds now this is a real mess. Please keep us updated on this one.
Curt,
let me preface this by starting more information is needed before any assumptions of negligence by the medics. I know you have experience in regards to ski patrols and I’m not sure how this transfer of care and/or medical staff at the ski resort factor into this situation. If a medical doctor was on scene at the resort would the deteriorating condition be noticed?
Clearly an assumption but it appears the patient was in some form of compensatory shock and then rapidly deteriorated. internal bleeding, warming of body temp, respiratory distress are all indicators in this case. What puzzles me is the presumption of death and the return to the clinic. This may be standard protocol in this region and contact could have been made with medical control.
Though I am sympathetic with the loss, we have all encountered the relative or bystander with a medical background. Add the stressors of foreign country, deteriorating condition and or the perception of this “‘going poorly” it could be possible that this woman was a hinderence more than a help.
In my years as a medic I have never had a trauma surgeon or Emergency medicine doctor on scene to help. A nurse or nurse practitioner doesn’t in any way indicate that you have trauma or emergency medicine experience. Want to see the difference? observe a cardiac arrest on a hospital ward floor as compared to the ER.
Riding in the rig to the hospital is possible in most instances but the person must sit up front (pediatrics and translator aside). there is little room in the back of the rig and the person needs to be seatbelted. As far as leaving her on the side of the road- lets wait till its investigated further.
Alot of unanswered questions and clearly not enough information to assume blame.
Jason
Good common sense perspective. I was thinking the same thing about the nurse being a [I’ll say it politely] hinderance – although as bad as she may have been I cannot fathom leaving her by the side of the road.
The conflict between the various news reports is also confounding things for us. One news report suggested that Mrs. Morse was let off 1 km from the ski patrol room – which at Sugarload would have placed her near the extended parking lots – and not even out to the main drag (Rt. 27).
If nothng else, the bits and pieces of what we do know helps us think through some factual scenarios about what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
When would it be acceptable to let a family member out of transporting vehicle, and what liabilities do the onboard personnel assume when the do that – assuming it was justified?
When would it be acceptable to discontinue transport of a working code (whether caused by weather, disaster, road closures, etc.)?
Not easy questions – and hard for folks (like me) from an urban area to think through because we are accustomed to having access to a trauma center or secondary hospital 100% of the time.
During the Blizzard of 1978, we could not get patients to a hospital (in fact we could not get EMS vehicles to patients – we walked through the snow to their homes). We set up a mini-clinic in our fire station. We also made contingencies for a temporary morgue in the event some of our patients did not survive. There was no alternative.
I suggest driving conditions are a factor in choosing to leave this person conditionally at the roadside (in a snowstorm) within the bounds of the resort for safety sake.
Once everything is brought to light I believe the general public will stunned at the lack of real advanced pre-hospital care there is in Maine statewide. Speaking not specifically about this service, but throughout the state, rural areas in Maine lack real investment in personnel and equipment by taxpayers. Maine even lacks a true level 1 Trauma center. The two flight helicopters are continuously flying, or are grounded by weather. Without Lifeflight, you’re in for a long bounce to bounce hospital, ems ride.
Good points Rob. One should not forget that the crew was also an hour from the hospital, it was in the middle of a snowstorm, and there was only a medic and EMT on the crew. I’d say returning to the clinic which had a physician, as well as ski patrol members to assist in the code would have been a judicious decision considering the circumstances. We’ll have to wait till the full story comes out, but unfortunately a lot of people are rushing to judgement in comments on media pages and whatnot. I find that unfair to the crew that was involved and probably had to make some tough decisions. Also let’s not forget that the hospital never received a complaint from the widow. They were notified when the media contacted them. Also, as far as not contacting the hospital, being an hour out, in a mountain snowstorm, it’s quite possible that the only contact would be via landline at the resort. Additionally, if the physician at the ski area called the code and notified the M.E.’s office, there wouldn’t have been any reason to contact the ER. The service would be aware from the PCR submission, but that is a division of the hospital and not directly overseen by the emergency department. Again, we’ll have to see what an investigation turns up.
curt
tell me you wouldnt even be writing this but your a family member of the morse family am i right well i think i am and i feel what she ms morse has been in she may not have all information what happen clearly for she was stressed out and they the emts on the mnt are very good and i have had them and my grandson with a heart problem was well taken care of by them please let the hospital do there inhouse invertigation and have a report given out before you burn them at the stake with a one sided information let them have there say have you wrote there side out on your family member im sorry for her lost and there sons but there is 2 sides and information not being printer out
thank you a mainer with out a family memeber on the emts side writing
I’m a 18 yr Firefighter/Paramedic, What was this guy’s condition when he was handed over to one emt-b and one emt-p ? And if his condition was that critical and I was leaving a Doctor supervised clinic for a one pluse hr transport and no air support was available, that Doc would be coming for a ride with me like it or not! If no Doc I’d attempt to get this pt stable at clinic and call for more man power prior to transport. Unless this guy’s injuries were so obvious such as arterial dissection, this pt would have been worked all the way to er ! But how does one Paramedic do that?
Most of the allegations Ms Morse has made are going to be easy to know if they are true. Sugar Loaf clinic nurse was there and first responders from Sugarloaf,
• Did they splint his elbow and not take vitals first? (even from what I have read the call was for a possible fractured leg and internal injuries).
• People at the clinic can verify was Ms Morse actions. Being assertive, hysterical, pushy.
• Did the ambulance drivers have their equipment (BP cuff , stethoscope) with them? If not, why?
• Did Dana start CPR in the ambulance and leave to get help from the nurse? (nurse can verify this)
• Ms Morse showed up at the hospital and spoke with a nurse, who did not know anything of her husband and had to call.
• What happened in the ambulance?? There were 3 of them. One who lost a loved one and 2 who are will be looked at if they did their job to the best of their ability? From the time they arrived at the scene to the time they decided to make the call.
• Was the hospital aware they were transporting a citical patient? Should be easy to find out with the state investigation.
Being a health care provider, why would you say these things if they are not true? Anger? Grieving? If what she says comes out to be accurate. I don’t blame her for being angry. Especially Ms Morse knowing she has been in the same situation as these ambulance drivers were in. Making a call where you should be able to look in the families eyes knowing you have done the best you can or not.
“Rise and shine, it’s time to wake up and make a difference”! The link below will explain the quote I believe Dana spoke out to “make a difference.”
This is a celebration of Dave’s life article: http://www.kingscountynews.ca/News/2012-01-23/article-2871915/Community-celebrates-David-Morses-life/1