This case involves an ambulance driver trainee who suffered a seizure while driving an ambulance during training. The field training officer attempted to regain control of the vehicle but was unable to. The ambulance eventually crashed into another vehicle after approximately 30 seconds following the onset of the trainee’s seizure. The vehicle that the ambulance crashed into had two children on board and both were killed from the impact. An EMS expert with vast familiarity training ambulance driver and overseeing safety policies for trainees and accident avoidance protocol was sought to explain what steps, if any, may have been taken to avoid this unfortunate outcome.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Do you currently train and/or oversee training guidelines for ambulance drivers and EMS field officers?
2. Does specific protocol exist to screen for drivers who have a past medical history of seizures?
Expert Witness Response E-009410
I am a paramedic and have been driving ambulances for 40 years. I currently teach a paramedic program that deals with ambulance driver safety and operations. I believe that I can certainly speak to the issues present in this case. I'm not sure of the defendant's medical history, but I believe they would need to be seizure-free for 5 years prior to driving this vehicle for them to be considered a viable option as an ambulance operator. Even without a prior history of seizures, thorough background and physical checkup would most likely be required. Another issue is the intervention of the FTO once the driver was seizing. I would be interested in knowing more about the training program itself, as that sounds like the crux of this case.
About the author
Wendy Ketner, M.D.
Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.
Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.
Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.
