Call of the Quarter Summer, 2003

On May 11, 2003, the Glasgow Lifesaving and First Aid Crew, Inc., responded for a call for a 24 year old female patient who had been burned.

Upon squad arrival, the patient was sitting on the sofa, screaming in pain and asking for pain medication.  Upon questioning, it was discovered that the patient was burning trash when someone threw a can of carburetor cleaner into the flames and it exploded, burning the patients face, neck, both arms (front and back), and the front of both legs.  The patients facial hair had been singed, and the skin was left with partial thickness burns with discoloration (white) and blisters.  The patient had rolled around on the ground to extinguish the flames, and a bystander had poured water on the patient.  ST Lisa Rogers called for more ALS, and for LifeGuard 10.

ST Lisa Rogers, EMT Sheri Wilcox, Paramedic Shane Watts and EMT Larry Mayo applied burn gel and sterile dressings, and loaded the patient in the unit.  Company 2 was requested to establish a landing zone at the Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center.  The patient was loaded into the unit, and an initial set of vitals taken.  ST Lisa Rogers removed the patient's wet clothing as the patient was starting to show signs of shock.

Paramedic Shane Watts arrived on scene and noted that the patient was stating that this was the worst pain of her whole life.  Her airway was open without edema, and no stridor noted.  However, she did occasionally have snoring respirations.  Patient had circulation in all of her extremities.  Paramedic Shane Watts established an IV of normal saline, and administered Morphine.  Lifeguard arrived on scene and the patient was transported to UVA's Burn Center.