,
12 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
1/ Rena Fleury collapsed. Cardiac arrest.
At 45, chances were good. Four bystanders called 911. But four times, operators didn’t give basic CPR instructions, like they may have elsewhere.
Minutes matter. Fleury didn’t make it.
It’s part of a pattern. propub.li/2Iy5G0A
At 45, chances were good. Four bystanders called 911. But four times, operators didn’t give basic CPR instructions, like they may have elsewhere.
Minutes matter. Fleury didn’t make it.
It’s part of a pattern. propub.li/2Iy5G0A
2/ In March, we told Baby Alijah’s story.
Similar situation: A fateful call to 911; an untrained operator who failed to give life saving instructions when seconds could have made the difference; a six-month-old suddenly dead.
Similar situation: A fateful call to 911; an untrained operator who failed to give life saving instructions when seconds could have made the difference; a six-month-old suddenly dead.
3/ Rhode Island emergency responders and legislators know these stories.
It’s a problem that can be improved. Other states do better.
But still, no fix.
It’s a problem that can be improved. Other states do better.
But still, no fix.
4/ In 2018, 900 people in Rhode Island suffered a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital.
About 22% received bystander CPR.
The national average of states that report this data: ~40%
Kings County, Washington: 70% propub.li/2Iy5G0A
About 22% received bystander CPR.
The national average of states that report this data: ~40%
Kings County, Washington: 70% propub.li/2Iy5G0A
5/ Kings County is a model. The county provides CPR classes to adults, and gives $$ to communities for defibrillators.
It tracks where defibrillators are, and 911 can instruct bystanders to find them. Other communities also lead the way here.
Rhode Island is behind.
It tracks where defibrillators are, and 911 can instruct bystanders to find them. Other communities also lead the way here.
Rhode Island is behind.
6/ The single most effective way to improve the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, experts say, is to train 911 call takers to give CPR instructions over the phone.
7/ Rena Fleury collapsed in the stands of a high school football game.
It took about seven minutes between the first 911 call for firefighters, who are certified EMT’s, to arrive on the scene. propub.li/2Iy5G0A
It took about seven minutes between the first 911 call for firefighters, who are certified EMT’s, to arrive on the scene. propub.li/2Iy5G0A
8/ “We were really trying everything,” the local emergency medical director said, “to get her heart back into a normal rhythm.”
But Fleury’s heart never managed to beat again on its own. She was later pronounced dead at Landmark Medical Center. propub.li/2Iy5G0A
But Fleury’s heart never managed to beat again on its own. She was later pronounced dead at Landmark Medical Center. propub.li/2Iy5G0A
9/ Fleury’s wedding reception was supposed to be last Saturday.
"I just feel so cheated," her fiancee told us.
"I just feel so cheated," her fiancee told us.
10/ The State Police superintendent proposed a $170,000 budget item to train 911 operators to provide emergency medical instructions after our first story published.
Rhode Island lawmakers are discussing the budget right now. It’s not clear if that will make the final version.
Rhode Island lawmakers are discussing the budget right now. It’s not clear if that will make the final version.
11/ We and @ThePublicsRadio are not stopping our investigation here.
Do you work in emergency medical response in Rhode Island? Get in touch.
EMAIL: RhodeIsland911@propublica.org
CALL: 401-213-9187
Do you work in emergency medical response in Rhode Island? Get in touch.
EMAIL: RhodeIsland911@propublica.org
CALL: 401-213-9187
PS: Rhode Island law bars the public from accessing 911 records without the caller’s “written consent” or a court order.
We’re fighting back. Have you called 911 for a medical emergency in Rhode Island? Help us! propub.li/2K8Z3VC
We’re fighting back. Have you called 911 for a medical emergency in Rhode Island? Help us! propub.li/2K8Z3VC
