EMS Mock Trial Holds Real-Life Lessons
When Stephen Stouter suspects his patient has suffered a stroke, he automatically performs various tests.
The Grand Island, N.Y. paramedic knows the importance of documentation.
At Firehouse Expo in Baltimore last Friday, he learned how it felt to sit on the witness stand with an incomplete report and try to explain himself.
Fellow attendees fired questions at him after an opening statement presented by Lawrence T. Bennett, deputy director of fire science education at the University of Cincinnati.
Bennett said he believes students get more out of a session by participating.
During the mock trial Stouter often referred to an incomplete patient information report that was part of an actual lawsuit. He said that in his own life he does a much better job of writing things down.
In the presented case, an EMS crew was sued after their patient, who said he believed he may have suffered a stroke, was told to get up and walk to the cot. When he couldn't they allegedly told him it was an anxiety attack.
The man refused to be taken to a hospital, and the crew left. The following day it was determined he had suffered a stroke.
Stouter used the real report during the mock trial to tell how things were when he fictionally encountered the patient. But, he was grilled when he tried to explain things that were not in his report.
Bennett reminded the attendees that if it's not documented, it didn't happen. "You can explain that for every single possible stroke patient, you do this and that. But, if it's not written down in the report ..."
Stouter said he performed the Cincinnati stroke scale exam on the patient who informed him that he thought he may be suffering from a stroke.
However, the prosecution argued that it was nowhere in the report. Stouter managed to keep his composure during the questioning.
Stouter's memory of events of the incident that had occurred several years ago also was challenged.
"It was an anxiety-producing event," said Stouter, who also is a nurse and on the board of his fire department.
He said he would encourage company officers to hold mock trials similar to the one Bennett hosted. "It's a great teaching tool."
Bennett, who writes a column "Larry's Legal Lessons" for Firehouse.com, said good documentation is necessary on every call.
"Everyone does a great job documenting the big calls. It's the minor ones including refusals that need to be well documented."
Pamela Williams, an EMT with the Roosevelt Fire Dept., called the session "awesome" adding that she enjoyed participating in the mock trial.
Baltimore County, Md. Paramedic Peggy Anuszewski said she stresses the importance of documentation during fire academy training.
She said relying on memory of things that happened years ago can draw lots of questions. She thought the session was interesting.
Dana Palermo, an EMT with Lindenhurst, N.Y. Fire Dept., called the trial "an eye-opening experience."
"It was easy to see how the interpretation between the patient, his family and EMS could be different. It was good to be able to critique it."
Frank Panzarella, an EMT from the same department, said he got a loud and clear message. "It may be late at night. But, you have to make sure you cover yourself. You may want to get it done fast, but that's not good."
Bennett said he was pleased with the participation. "These cases may take years to come to court. You can't rely on your memory. You have to have a report to show what you saw and did."
