TN Medic accused of molesting patient

[Natasha]

The photos are the only thing that actually seals the first case for me...the breast fondling could easily be explained away by adjusting to try and place electrodes on the patient (not sure about the shorts although it's not uncommon for a seizure patient to wet themselves which COULD explain that away as well). The second case is an absolute JOKE. If removing the clothing of trauma victims is sexual battery, I know a lot of medics who are going to be out of a job. Oh hell...I could have sexual battery charges pressed on me from when I was practicing!!!

Lawsuit Details Tenn. Ambulance Worker Molesting Patient
Todd South, Staff Writer
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

A local woman is suing Hamilton County Emergency Services for $2.9 million, alleging that a paramedic pulled back her clothing, fondled her and took photos of her naked body while she was being transported to the hospital.
Melody Wallace had suffered from seizures and convulsions at a Fawn Drive home the day that the alleged incident took place, according to court records.
"It's outrageous that in Ms. Wallace's case she wasn't safe once she got into the ambulance. In fact, that's where her assault began," said Bill Speek, her attorney.
Hamilton County spokesman Michael Dunne said that Michael Johnston, 41, the paramedic accused of the assault, was fired on Aug. 9, 2010. He had worked for EMS since October 1994, Dunne said.
Shawn Slaughter, 40, drove the ambulance on July 25, 2010, the day Wallace was taken to the hospital. He has worked for EMS since December 1996 and is still employed with the department.
The lawsuit, filed July 22, does not say that Slaughter took part in the alleged assault but faults him for not reporting the incident.
Dunne asked that the Chattanooga Times Free Press file an open records request for further information about the employees.
According to the lawsuit, while Wallace was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, Johnston pulled up her shirt, placed cardiac monitor stickers on her and fondled her.
Johnston then pulled Wallace's shorts and exposed her groin, peering up her shorts, the lawsuit states, then continued molesting and photographing her.
Wallace complained to hospital staff immediately, the lawsuit states, and filed a criminal complaint of sexual battery and illegal photographing with police.
That case is set for a hearing before Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern on Sept. 13.
Speek said his client wants to ensure that what allegedly happened to her won't happen to others.
"We need to take steps to monitor people who are treating patients en route to the hospital," he said.
This isn't the first claim of impropriety by EMS. Hamilton County is still fighting a lawsuit an alleged sexual assault by a paramedic in October 2006.
In that case, Holley S. Andrews is seeking $1.5 million in damages from the county and paramedic Roger Davis. She alleges that, while she was being transported following a motorcycle accident, Davis dosed her with extra morphine, then stripped her clothing as she was strapped down.
Andrews' attorney, Robin Flores, called Davis' actions "egregious" in a phone interview Wednesday. He said a Circuit Court judge dismissed Davis' efforts to end the case but was still considering motions from Hamilton County.
Dunne would not confirm whether Davis still works for the county.
Another former Hamilton County EMS worker faces civil rights intimidation charges while his case awaits a possible indictment from the grand jury.
James "Danny" Smiley, 27, resigned from his county paramedic job shortly after being arrested along with Colton Partin, 21, and Kyle Montgomery, 21.
The trio were accused of hurling lit fireworks and yelling racial slurs at residents in East Lake Courts on July 9.
Contact staff writer Todd South at tsouth@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6347.

 

[hart]

That's disgusting! I hope if he did it to others, and I'm sure he must have, they come forward. That other guy too should be ashamed. How could you NOT stop it?

 

[Guyzerr]

The photos are the only thing that actually seals the first case for me...

1) Where does it say the photos actually exist ?
2) Could it be possible that the plaintiff is lying and the lawsuit is just an attempt to get some cash?

 

[Natasha]

1) Where does it say the photos actually exist ?
2) Could it be possible that the plaintiff is lying and the lawsuit is just an attempt to get some cash?

1) Technically it doesn't. Maybe they don't.
2) NO WAY...that's NEVER been done!!! :sarcasm

 

[Dana]

I saw you post that on Facebook... SMH

 

[Staci]

the removal of clothing for a trauma patient is a must if we are to do our job. as for placing electrodes on a person it becomes a "senstive" issue. i know that when i have to i try to be cautious about how i am moving a boob if needed. honestly though in the case of someone seizing time is of essence.

 

[Guyzerr]

the removal of clothing for a trauma patient is a must if we are to do our job. as for placing electrodes on a person it becomes a "senstive" issue. i know that when i have to i try to be cautious about how i am moving a boob if needed. honestly though in the case of someone seizing time is of essence.

I was under the impression that it's rare for a person that's had a seizure to remember what happened while they were having it. Is that correct or not? Just curious.....

Secondly, I would think that a person such as yourself doing their job is rarely alone so if " you moved a boob wrong " there would be witnesses?????? On the other hand the witness could act in your defense and say you were doing your job and her gigantic tits got in your way. Could happen yes ????

 

[Staci]

I was under the impression that it's rare for a person that's had a seizure to remember what happened while they were having it. Is that correct or not? Just curious.....

Secondly, I would think that a person such as yourself doing their job is rarely alone so if " you moved a boob wrong " there would be witnesses?????? On the other hand the witness could act in your defense and say you were doing your job and her gigantic tits got in your way. Could happen yes ????

some people can remember (i have not met one). as for the being alone. if it is just me and my partner then i am alone in the back of the ambulance for the most part. depending on the call itself there may be 1 more. you have to remember there is not much room to move around in the back of an ambulance and it can be very tight back there. i would always be able to say that medically i had to move her boob to get the ekg leads on, especially if i was doing a 12-lead vs a 3-lead.

 

[Guyzerr]

some people can remember (i have not met one). as for the being alone. if it is just me and my partner then i am alone in the back of the ambulance for the most part. depending on the call itself there may be 1 more. you have to remember there is not much room to move around in the back of an ambulance and it can be very tight back there. i would always be able to say that medically i had to move her boob to get the ekg leads on, especially if i was doing a 12-lead vs a 3-lead.

For some strange reason I thought you were a nurse in a hospital. My brother is a paramedic so I'm familiar with the goings on in the back of one.

I shake my head and think if someone on this planet actually filed some sort of grievance or law suit because a medical professional " touched " or " exposed " some flesh while trying to save their life they should be shot, then guillotined, then keelhauled prior to being put to death.

 

[Staci]

nope i like being able to play in the ambulance versus what the nurses do inside the hospital. granted during this heat wave i sure wished i worked inside LOL

 

[purpledove]

The photos are the only thing that actually seals the first case for me...

Just trying to understand the reason why pic taking may have occurred....hence am curious:

is it a protocol/SOP for EMTs that after an assessment and visible signs of abuse (Physical/sexual) are seen that they are required/allowed to take pics and fill out the mandated report ?? If such were the case though, it's still not a violation of the patient's privacy, right? :unsure:

.....And as stated too, if the EMT partner/driver is around, just like in performing ECG electrode placement the partner would have been notified too during the pic taking, if it really occurred as claimed. Hence my question/doubt as to why M.Johnston was fired yet the driver is still employed ?? IF the alleged actions have taken place, shouldn't the driver/partner also be an accessory to the crime?

 

[Natasha]

Just trying to understand the reason why pic taking may have occurred....hence am curious:

is it a protocol/SOP for EMTs that after an assessment and visible signs of abuse (Physical/sexual) are seen that they are required/allowed to take pics and fill out the mandated report ?? If such were the case though, it's still not a violation of the patient's privacy, right? :unsure:

Absolutely not. Documentation of injuries by photographs is a police issue, not medical.

.....And as stated too, if the EMT partner/driver is around, just like in performing ECG electrode placement the partner would have been notified too during the pic taking, if it really occurred as claimed. Hence my question/doubt as to why M.Johnston was fired yet the driver is still employed ?? IF the alleged actions have taken place, shouldn't the driver/partner also be an accessory to the crime?

My understanding is that the driver could be in some hot water for not intervening or reporting it. HOWEVER, as Staci said previously, if they were enroute to the hospital the 2 medics would be separated and he could have not been aware of what occurred.

 

[purpledove]

Absolutely not. Documentation of injuries by photographs is a police issue, not medical.

I guess, that's where the disciplines vary. Depends on the hospital, although most that I have worked for- we don't wait for the police to take pics....we can do them on our own after reporting it to the supervisor. It should however be supervised/witnessed by another licensed discipline. In some Forensic areas too, it's the same.

My understanding is that the driver could be in some hot water for not intervening or reporting it. HOWEVER, as Staci said previously, if they were enroute to the hospital the 2 medics would be separated and he could have not been aware of what occurred.

Ok, gotcha :nod:

 

[Natasha]

I guess, that's where the disciplines vary. Depends on the hospital, although most that I have worked for- we don't wait for the police to take pics....we can do them on our own after reporting it to the supervisor. It should however be supervised/witnessed by another licensed discipline. In some Forensic areas too, it's the same.

Even in that situation, it's not the MEDICS doing the photographing. It could be different in other places, but IMO the 10 - 15 minute ambulance ride isn't lengthy enough that the medics need to be documenting injuries...and even if they did, who are they documenting them for???

 

[purpledove]

Even in that situation, it's not the MEDICS doing the photographing. It could be different in other places, but IMO the 10 - 15 minute ambulance ride isn't lengthy enough that the medics need to be documenting injuries...and even if they did, who are they documenting them for???

Yup, i do understand now :nod:

I am not familiar with how medics work under such a circumstance hence my query. Thanks

 

[Natasha]

Yup, i do understand now :nod:

I am not familiar with how medics work under such a circumstance hence my query. Thanks

Ahh, gotcha.