“Staff was unable to provide an exact time of when the patient went into cardiac arrest.” The time listed on the report was an estimated 2:25 p.m. The call from Svelta to Coral Gables Fire Rescue was received at 4:50 p.m. The report says Aponte was “unresponsive” and “pulseless” when emergency medical services workers arrived. “There was a delay to patient contact due to a slow elevator, and no staff was holding the elevator for rescue.” In the five minutes between EMS getting the call
and the arrival at 4:55 p.m., the caller said Aponte’s blood oxygen level had dropped to 0% “at which point they reported beginning CPR.” But, when EMS workers got there, “No CPR was in progress.” Also, “no AED pads were placed by staff.” AED pads are used to deliver a shock from a defibrillator. “A defibrillator can save your life if you’re in cardiac arrest,” Cleveland Clinic says. “This device provides an electrical charge that stops your heart’s abnormal rhythm so your heart can get
back to a normal rhythm. Even with defibrillation, cardiac arrest is fatal for many people.” “No crash cart was visible.” A surgical area’s crash cart holds the equipment and drugs necessary to deal with an emergency. Florida law requires a “full and current” crash cart to be present for office surgeries. “There was minimal communication from the surgery staff and physicians to EMS.”
Coral Gables, plastic surgery center, EMS, CPR, AED pads, defibrillator, crash cart, elevator delay, cardiac arrest, Aponte