What happened: A former Iowa paramedic, Deanna LaMare, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after administering the wrong medication to a patient during an EMS call. The incident occurred when LaMare, responding to an uncooperative patient, James Foster, intended to sedate him with ketamine but instead administered rocuronium, a paralytic.
The medication error went unreported, and the patient was treated as though they had received ketamine, leading to critical respiratory issues. Foster passed away two days later in the hospital. The situation worsened when the paramedic attempted to conceal the mistake, failing to provide appropriate corrective measures to address the error.
| More: Former Iowa medic charged with involuntary manslaughter after administering incorrect drug
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:
- The consequences of medication errors. This case underscores the life-or-death implications of incorrect drug administration and emphasizes the importance of accurate medication verification.
- The dangers of covering up mistakes. The paramedic’s failure to report and address the error in real-time exacerbated the situation, demonstrating the critical need for transparency and accountability.
- Fostering a culture of accountability. EMS agencies must establish environments where clinicians feel safe reporting errors, ensuring patient safety and systemic learning.
The path forward
This case serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of EMS responsibilities and the importance of integrity in patient care. It highlights the necessity for strict adherence to protocols, comprehensive education on drug administration, and fostering an environment where mistakes can be reported without fear of retribution. Moving forward, EMS leaders must focus on cultivating a just culture that prioritizes both patient safety and clinician accountability to prevent similar tragedies.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Reducing the 7 types of medication errors
- Medication administration cross check: Strategies to reduce medication errors
- 5 ways to eliminate dosing errors
- To err is human: How agencies should navigate mistakes in EMS
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
