Great news out of Kentucky! The medics who administered antivenom to a man bitten by a deadly mamba snake will not face discipline for their actions.
Antivenom is not an approved medication for paramedics to administer. The medics found themselves in the situation where a snake expert was bitten by a deadly snake. The man told them unless they administered the antivenom he had on hand for just such an emergency, he would die. Unable to contact their medical director to get permission (they did speak to others at a hospital) they went ahead and gave the life-saving medicine.
The Kentucky EMS board ruled that the medics’ actions violated protocol, but dismissed the case due to “unique circumstances.”
Powell County paramedics’ case dismissed after venomous snake bite controversy
This from the article listed above:
“This man knew exactly what he had. He knew exactly what we need to do, and he told us what we need to do,” Barnes said.
Harrison had told Barnes during the emergency that without the antivenom, he would die.
“He said, then I’m gonna die. If you don’t give it to me, I’m gonna die,” Barnes said.
Barnes said he trusted the expert’s knowledge over protocol.
Good for him. The medic did what I think most medics would do. You use your best judgement and do what’s right to save a life.
Good for the Kentucky EMS Board for recognizing this.