An ambulance driver in Cleveland, Ohio, abandoned a patient with chest pain last week after getting lost, telling the patient he was done for the day and calling an Uber to go home, according to local broadcaster KWTX. The driver was employed by Lynx EMS, a private ambulance company, and was transporting the patient to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees (Care) Local 1975 clarified that the vehicle was not a Cleveland EMS ambulance. In a statement, the organisation said: “We want to clarify it was NOT a Cleveland EMS ambulance, but rather a provider working on a private ambulance.” It added that once the driver left, “Cleveland EMS responded to the scene, administered care, and transported the patient to the hospital.”
Lynx EMS, whose motto is “Expert. Agile. Dependable.”, said in a statement: “Upon becoming aware of the situation, immediate steps were taken to address the matter and ensure the patient’s well-being and care needs were addressed.” The company said it is continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and will take appropriate action based on the findings, but was unable to comment further as the matter involves personnel and patient-related matters.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident highlights a failure of duty of care by a private ambulance driver and the potential risks when the public relies on private emergency transport.
- It underscores the importance of municipal emergency services as a safety net, as Cleveland EMS quickly took over and assisted the patient.
- The case may prompt public scrutiny of hiring practices and oversight within private ambulance companies.
Background
The incident took place in Cleveland, Ohio, last week. The driver worked for Lynx EMS, a private company, not for the city’s emergency medical service. The patient had chest pain and was being taken to the Cleveland Clinic.
Key Perspectives
- Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees (Care) Local 1975: Emphasised that the ambulance was privately operated and not part of Cleveland EMS, and that the city’s emergency services responded to provide care after the driver left.
- Lynx EMS: Acknowledged the incident, said immediate steps were taken to address the patient’s well-being, and that it is reviewing the matter to determine appropriate action.
What to Watch
- The result of Lynx EMS’s internal investigation and any disciplinary or operational changes it implements.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA private ambulance driver abandoned a patient in Cleveland and took an Uber home.World news | The Guardian: “An ambulance driver in Ohio abandoned a patient they were taking to hospital after getting lost and decided to call an Uber and go home.”
- SupportedCleveland EMS responded after the driver left a patient with chest pain who was being transported to hospital.World news | The Guardian: “The Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees (Care) Local 1975 said that once the driver had abandoned the patient, a local Cleveland EMS unit responded and administered aid to them and then continued the journey to the hospital.”
- SupportedKWTX reported that the driver got lost, told the patient he was done for the day, and called an Uber home.World news | The Guardian: “According to the local broadcaster KWTX: “The ambulance driver got lost, told her he was done driving for the day, and called an Uber.””
- SupportedThe driver worked for private ambulance company Lynx EMS.World news | The Guardian: “The driver worked for a private ambulance company Lynx EMS, and not for Cleveland Emergency Medical Services.”
- SupportedThe patient was being transported to the Cleveland Clinic with chest pain.World news | The Guardian: “The bizarre incident played out in Cleveland last week when the patient was being transported to the Cleveland Clinic with chest pain.”
- SupportedCare Local 1975 said, “We want to clarify it was NOT a Cleveland EMS ambulance, but rather a provider working on a private ambulance.”World news | The Guardian: ““We want to clarify it was NOT a Cleveland EMS ambulance, but rather a provider working on a private ambulance,” the organisation said in a statement .”
- SupportedCare Local 1975 said Cleveland EMS responded, administered care, and transported the patient to hospital.World news | The Guardian: ““Once that provider left, Cleveland EMS responded to the scene, administered care, and transported the patient to the hospital.””
- SupportedLynx EMS’s motto is “Expert. Agile. Dependable.”World news | The Guardian: “a spokesperson for Lynx EMS (motto: Expert. Agile. Dependable.) said”
- SupportedLynx EMS said, “Upon becoming aware of the situation, immediate steps were taken to address the matter and ensure the patient’s well-being and care needs were addressed.”World news | The Guardian: “a spokesperson for Lynx EMS (motto: Expert. Agile. Dependable.) said: “Upon becoming aware of the situation, immediate steps were taken to address the matter and ensure the patient’s well-being and care needs were addressed.””
- SupportedLynx EMS said it was reviewing the incident and would take appropriate action based on the findings.World news | The Guardian: “It added: “We are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding this incident and will take appropriate action based on the findings of that review.”
- SupportedLynx EMS said it could not comment further because the matter involved personnel and patient-related issues.World news | The Guardian: “As this involves personnel and patient related matters, we are unable to comment further.””