4 Paramedics Suspended For Failing To Transport Dying Woman

BRANDON, FL -- The Hillsborough County administrator has suspended four fire rescue paramedics for failing to transport a 30-year-old woman who was having a stroke to the hospital. The woman later slipped into a coma and died.

Paramedics were called to an apartment complex at about 3 a.m. July 4 after Crystal Galloway suffered a stroke just days after having a caesarean section.

When the paramedics arrived, they said Galloway’s mother told them she wanted to drive her daughter to the hospital herself because they couldn’t afford the cost of transporting her by ambulance.

However, according to Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill, the mother said the paramedics told her they would not transport Galloway to the hospital because she couldn’t afford the ambulance.

Regardless, said Merrill, the paramedics violated procedures by failing to have the patient or her mother sign a formal refusal for transport and failing to take the patient’s vital signs when they arrived. Additionally, when they recorded the call into the logging system, Merrill said the paramedics indicated that the patient could not be found. Sheriff’s deputies on the scene, however, said the paramedics carried Galloway down from her third-floor apartment.

"They didn't take any vitals. They didn't do any assessment of her. That is a violation of standard operating procedure," said Merrill.

Merrill said he conferred with Dr. Michael Lozano, the medical director for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, who agreed.

Merrill quoted Lozano as saying, “I cannot trust these individuals to work under my medical license. I feel they do not meet the minimum standards set by myself and the department.'"

The mother said she ended up driving her daughter to Brandon Regional Hospital. Due to her critical condition, Galloway was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital where she slipped into a coma and died a few days later.

The four paramedics were placed on administrative leave with pay. They are expected to attend a disciplinary hearing on July 31.

The four suspended paramedics are Lt. John "Mike" Morris, 36, who has worked with the department six years; medic Justin Sweeney, 36, a five-year employee; medic Andrew J. Martin, 28, a five-year employee; and acting Lt. Cortney Barton, 38, a nine-year employee.

"I deeply regret that this has happened and clearly this is unacceptable," Merrill said.

Image via Hillsborough Fire Rescue