Trauma surgeon at crash scene helps save cops life
We just got done posting an article about a trauma center reopening, and the importance of trauma systems, this is what it’s really all about.
Florida has a very well formed trauma system. In Miami/Dade, there is only one level 1 trauma center, the world renowned Ryder Trauma Center. Ryder is the only free standing trauma center in the nation—that is; its one building dedicated solely to trauma care. This story shows how amazing proper triage and a top notch trauma system can be.
On Tuesday August 18th, a Miami police officer traveling the Don Schula parkway lost control of his vehicle. As his patrol car left the highway, it struck a construction sign. One of the support poles from that sign entered the vehicle on the passenger side, went through the officer’s leg and exited went through the windshield. Impalement injuries are among the most complicated to deal with on scene.
Because of the training Miami/Dade fire/rescue received, especially in terms of triage, it was determined that a surgeon was absolutely required on scene. You can’t just pull someone out of a car that has been impaled by a long pole.
Doctor Luis Pizano, a trauma surgeon with Jackson Memorial’s Ryder Trauma Center, was airlifted to the accident site to see what could be done.
“In all it took over an hour and a half for firefighters to extricate the officer and for the surgeon on scene to surgically remove the post from the officer’s leg.” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Arnold Piedrahita Jr.
“The hardest part about this is to try not to inflict further pain on the patient while you’re trying to extract them from the site,” said Dr. Pizano, who’s been in practice for nine years.
Pizano said he gave Rodriguez some medication for the pain, but not too much since he needed to talk to him while he and the firefighters were working.
“It’s a fine line between keeping them stable while controlling the blood loss, and giving them pain medications, but not so much that it stops their breathing or hinders their vital signs,” said Pizano. “We’re in constant communication with the patient. Because of the amount of pain their in, we can give them pain medication, but still have them alert and able to speak to us.”
The very fact that made this all possible was both the fact that Miami/Dade has a solid chopper fleet, and that Ryder has a helipad on their roof, making it quick and easy to ferry the surgeon to the scene, just a 4 floor elevator ride and a walk to the chopper’s door..
Most take systems like this for granted until they actually need them. This is a stunning example that everyone in South Florida should be thankful they have such an excellent trauma system. That this accident happened to a police officer makes it all the more harrowing, but the trauma system would be there for a drunk driver in the same situation, it makes no difference when it comes to saving lives.
Here’s a news video of the incident:
We all slow down at the sight of bad accidents, the more horrific, the longer we watch. We all need to put some thought, and thanks to the brave men and women who make this all happen, it does not take place in a vacuum!
