By Laura French
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — A Colorado paramedic who witnessed the life-saving actions of an X-ray technician recently joined her at a ceremony where she was named Patient Safety Colleague of the Month at her hospital.
Adams County Fire Rescue Paramedic Cody Grove transported a young child to the emergency department at North Suburban Medical Center a few weeks ago after the child had swallowed an unknown object, according to a hospital news release. Moments later, North Suburban X-ray Technician Kasey Wichael was preparing to perform an X-ray when the child suddenly started choking.
Wichael immediately began performing back blows and managed to dislodge the object within seconds. Grove heard the commotion and rushed into the room.
“When I rounded that corner my heart had sunk, and I expected the worst. Instead I found a crying child with no more airway obstruction,” Grove said in a statement.
Wichael’s action led Grove to write a letter to Adams County Fire Rescue leaders, which was later passed along to the CEO of North Suburban Medical Center.
“Kasey showed what it means to be a healthcare provider, and what it means to be an amazing person. She showed that everyone in that ED can be the difference between a good outcome and a bad outcome, and that they are willing to act above and beyond the circumstances of their normal duties to make sure the outcomes are good,” Grove wrote.
In response to Grove’s letter, the hospital named Wichael its Patient Safety Colleague of the Month for September, inviting Grove to participate in the ceremony where Wichael received the award.
“I find great comfort in knowing that staff at the hospital have the training, the wherewithal, and initiative to make a difference in patients’ lives and outcomes, Groves said in a statement.