Maine's Franklin Hospital/Northstar Ambulance issues a non-statement about dying man's wife claim she was left on side of road. Another lesson in reputation mismanagement.
Click here to follow STATter911.com on Facebook (hit "like")
Previous coverage of this story here and here
Coverage from Curt Varone's FireLawBlog.com here and here
We teased you this morning with word that it looks like we were finally going to hear the other side of the story surrounding the January 12 fatal skiing accident in Maine of David Morse of Nova Scotia. Morse's widow, Dana, a nurse practitioner, has told reporters that the medic crew not only provided poor care, but left her on the side of the road when she asked to be moved to the back of the ambulance to be with her husband in his final moments.
From the start, many of us said this was a one sided story because we haven't heard from Northstar Ambulance or its parent company Franklin Memorial Hospital. The hospital told reporters it would release a statement today, almost a week after the story made the news.
The hospital followed through on its promise and issued a statement. I would call it a non-statement. It does nothing to set the record straight if, in fact, the details already known are wrong. It does nothing to get this story out and behind the hospital so it can repair the damage.
But yes, it is a statement and it comes from the hospital's CEO Rebecca Ryder:
I would ask everyone in our community and around the state of Maine to join me in extending our heartfelt sympathies to the family who lost their loved one last week as the result of a skiing accident. I have asked the employees in my organization to join me in doing the same.
I understand that this is a very difficult time for the patient’s family, and especially for his wife and children. I am committed to fully understanding all aspects of what occurred following this tragic accident, and will work toward that end.
Throughout this week, we have been conducting a review of this situation. As part of that fact-finding, all involved need to be interviewed, and we have not yet completed that process.
Integral to the mission of Franklin Community Health Network is providing high quality care to our patients and families. As president of the network, I am confident that the health professionals in our organization, which includes NorthStar ambulance service, have continued to maintain our values of expert clinical care and compassion, defined by consistently showing respect for all the people we serve.
Do you want to sell a vehicle? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.
