Two RI EMTs see cardiac license suspended after baby with pulse reportedly placed into biohazard bag before death

Two EMTs have seen a license of theirs suspended after the death of a baby.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, two who have been licensed as Emergency Medical Technicians-Cardiac recently came before the Rhode Island Department of Health alleging that they had engaged in behavior that constituted “cause” for taking action against their Emergency Medical Technicians Cardiac license.

According to an investigation into the death of a baby on August 1, it was discovered that the Woonsocket EMTs arrived at a residence at 12:18 p.m.; after arriving at 12:23 p.m., a newborn baby was located in a bathroom toilet having been recently delivered, with the maternal umbilical cord intact. One of the EMTs clamped the umbilical cord, cut it, and left the baby in the toilet to escort the baby’s mother out of the bathroom to the living room. An EMT returned to the bathroom and removed the baby from the toilet and determined the baby did not have a brachial pulse present and also determined there was no movement of the baby’s limbs after tapping the feet.

An EMT then wrapped the baby’s body in a towel and placed it into a biohazard bag, which then was placed behind the mother on the ambulance stretcher. The mother and
baby were transported to Landmark Medical Center. The baby was left in the ambulance in the biohazard bag with another Woonsocket Fire Department member. After the emergency department physician inquired about the baby, an EMT escorted the emergency department charge nurse to the ambulance to retrieve the baby. Upon returning to the emergency department, it was determined the baby demonstrated a palpable pulse and hospital emergency department staff attempted resuscitation. Resuscitative efforts were later ceased, and death was pronounced by the attending physician.

The Rhode Island Department of Health Director concluded that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively required emergency action against the two EMTs.

The two licenses were suspended until further order by the RIDOH.