Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation - CCT Injury accident

Date: April 3rd, 2009 7:10 AM 

Program: Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation
	431 McClanahan St
	Roanoke VA 24014

Model: Ford E450 Modular, Wheeled Coach

Weather: Day Break, heavy rain, fog 

Road: Wet

Injuries: 
	Ambulance Operator, injured
	Attendant in Charge, not injured
	Patient, not injured
	Patient Family , not injured
	

Description: 
	A CCPT Radford Transport Division ALS Ambulance received a call at
	0509hrs for a critical patient transport.  Patient was prepared for
	2.5 hour transport without incident to a Medical Center in
	Charlottesville, VA. While driving in emergency mode with red lights
	and siren activated the driver noted traffic slowing suddenly (Later
	it would be determined that an accident had occurred just ahead of his
	location on the interstate). There was a tractor trailer in front of
	the ambulance in the left lane and another similar vehicle in the
	right lane. To avoid striking the left lane truck in a straight-on
	collision the driver began braking. Noting a open area on the shoulder
	of the road, the driver took actions to head in that direction. It
	should be noted that in this area, the shoulder is very wide and flat.
	As he transitioned across from the left lane towards the shoulder the
	ambulance suffered a loss of traction and began to skid while still in
	the right lane striking the rear of the tractor trailer that was in
	the right lane. This impact caused significant damage to the front of
	the ambulance. This also resulted in deployment of both front airbags.
	
	
	The Attendant in Charge (AIC) was seated, belted in the captains
	seat, and was uninjured. He first checked the patient who was still
	secured to the now displaced stretcher with three cross belts and two
	shoulder straps(5 pt). The AIC then spoke to the front seat passenger
	who stated he was ok. The driver stated that he was injured and could
	not move due to the vehicle damage and steering wheel against his
	chest. The front seat passenger, who was belted, was able to self
	extricate through the passenger side window without the guidance or
	advice of the AIC. 
	
	The AICs personal phone was damaged in the impact and the ambulance's
	cell phone & radios were inaccessible due to vehicle damage. The AIC
	was able to obtain the drivers phone to call 911 for assistance and
	contact CCPT Communications Center. CCPT Lexington City Contract 911
	Division responded to the incident, as did the CCPT Lexington
	Transport Division.  After arrival of several EMS agencies and two
	Fire Departments all four occupants were transported to Carilion
	Stonewall Jackson Hospital. The Driver was later air-lifted, by
	Carilion Clinic Life-Guard 10 to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
	for additional treatment and surgery for evaluation of possible
	abdominal injury and leg fractures.  The patient was evaluated and
	discharged to continue transport to the original destination hospital.
	The passenger and AIC were also discharged from the ED. 
	

Additional Info: 
	A ground PAIP was activiated and ICS structure implemented. Due to the
	early timing of the incident most of the adminitrative team were still
	at home. The Safety Officer was closest to the scene and responded
	there first. the Senior Director responding to the receiving hospital
	with the Ground Division Director coming up later. Remaining managment
	set up an IC structure at the main base to coordinate employee, family
	and PR efforts.
	
	The stretcher came out of the factory designed backet and locking
	system. The AIC describes the stretcher frame rising to his eye level
	as he was forced into the seat during deceleration and impact. The
	stretcher landed at a reported 45 degree angle towards the bench seat
	with the patient still safety secured to the stretcher.  During post
	incident review, it was noted that the stretcher and stretcher locking
	mechanism were both bent due to the accident.   The DriveCam in the
	ambulance did not record the incident and was found on the windshield,
	on the roadway, in front of the ambulance.
	
	Virginia State Police investigated the incident and did not charge
	anyone involved in the incident.  The ambulance is a total loss.
	
	Immediately after the incident a HotWash was completed and on April
	6th a full process debrief was completed with a list of what went well
	and lessons learned.  Reinforcement points included:  (1) Continued
	focus on restraint use by all occupants in the ambulance at all times,
	(2) Importance of securing all equipment, and (3) Importance of use of
	the 5 point harness stretcher system.
	

Source: Kevin W. Peters Safety Officer, 540-400-2811

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The CONCERN network shares verified information to alert medical transport
programs when an accident / incident has occurred. Please share the above
information with your program staff. If you have further questions, please
contact the CONCERN Coordinator, David Kearns at 800 525 3712 or email:
coordinator@concern-network.org.

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