State Investigating Washington Firefighters Training on Dead Body

BELLINGHAM, Washington (KIRO) - The state health department is now investigating after firefighters in Bellingham did an intubation procedure on a dead patient for their own training. Washington Firefighters Misuse Funeral Home Body for Intubation Training An investigative report by the city found 11 employees attempted to intubate the body 15 times on the floor of a fire station. When a nursing home patient died in a Bellingham medic unit this summer, firefighters brought his body to a fire station when the hospital didn't accept it. According to a city investigation obtained by KIRO 7, when the funeral home reported it would take 45 minutes to arrive for pickup, firefighters laid the body on the floor and began practicing endotracheal intubations. Eleven people intubated the man's body for training, making 15 attempts. The investigation did find a different practice that has gone on for 25 years where paramedics in Bellingham sometimes intubate deceased patients three or four times, a so-called "tube check" for their license recertification. The report indicates the practice was recommended in certain circumstances by EMS Medical Program Director Dr. Marvin Wayne, who declined comment.  
Source: JEMS Administration and Leadership - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: News Administration and Leadership Source Type: news