By Jason Laday
The News of Cumberland County
MILLVILLE, N.J. — The state Department of Health office in charge of emergency medical services has indefinitely suspended five EMTs, barring them from interacting with any patients, in connection with the death of a Millville man during an emergency call on July 31.
Three of the five suspended EMTs are stationed out of Millville Rescue Squad, while the other two are paramedics at Underwood Memorial Hospital, in Woodbury. All of them are Cumberland County residents.
Representatives with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services stated the five EMTs will remain suspended until the end of the department’s investigation.
Depending on the investigations results, the five could either be reinstated or have their certifications permanently revoked.
Michael Anthony Burris, 27, died from positional asphyxia when secured in a prone position on a stretcher by emergency responders to his home that day, according to the county medical examiner’s report filed on Nov. 18.
That means, as far as the medical examiner is concerned, Burris death was due to the way responders secured him.
That view is repeated in the five letters sent to the suspended EMTs homes, dated Dec. 13, which states a Patient Care Report revealed that, while combative, Burris was placed in restraints face down on a portable stretcher and carried down the stairs of his apartment.
Upon placing Burris in the ambulance, it was discovered he had suffered a cardiac arrest.
According to the suspension letters, “A patient placed in any type of restraint shall be closely monitored to ensure that his or her airway is not compromised in any way.
“In no circumstance shall a patient be placed prone (that is, face down) on a stretcher while in restraints.”
The suspended EMTs stationed at Millville Rescue Squad are Karen Moreno, Charles Bennett Jr., Eric Stormes — all Millville residents. The paramedics were Robert Smith, of Millville, and Troy Payeur, of Bridgeton.
They had responded to his home after he had hit his head, falling temporarily unconscious.
According to Millville Rescue Chief John Redden, the three under his command remain working at the station, but have been reassigned to non-EMT duties, such as work dispatch and answering phones.
“They will continue to serve in non-EMT duties until all of the circumstances regarding this incident are disclosed and final determinations have been made by any regulatory agencies,” said Reddon in a statement. “We are hopeful that upon completion of the pending investigations that their status will be reinstated.”
Reddon added that his squad transports more than 60,000 patients every year.
“This particular event is an isolated event that has never occurred in our 50 year history,” he said.
"(Millville Rescue Squad) has a structured quality assurance and review process that reviews all incidents that occur regarding the safety and care of our staff and patients.
“As the events surrounding this incident are not typical in our response to medical emergency calls, we continue to review the details and will determine any required change to policy upon clarification of the reports and interviews that are currently ongoing.”
The five EMTs have 30 days from the date of their suspensions to appeal the state’s action. Reddon stated the decision to appeal is incumbent on the individuals, and not on the squad.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office initially stated in August it would not pursue criminal charges against the emergency personnel in the case.
However, the medical examiner’s report caused the prosecutor to re-open the case.
“We are further investigating the matter,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae earlier this month.
Republished with permission from NJ.com