Man pronounced dead by paramedics after cardiac arrest despite still breathing

22 February 2023 , 16:47

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Thomas Maxwell was pronounced dead by medics even though he was still breathing (Image: Fox13)

Two paramedics have been suspended from treating patients after a man they pronounced dead was later found to be alive.

The medics were dispatched from a fire department in Clearwater, Florida, US, after a report of cardiac arrest from a home in Pinellas County on Wednesday morning.

They found 65-year-old Thomas Maxwell on the floor unresponsive while his daughter, Phebe, was performing CPR on him.

When the medics checked her father's wrist for a pulse they immediately declared him deceased, despite his daughter telling them that her father was still exhibiting signs of life.

She said her father's lips were blue, he was cold, and he was not responsive, but his chest was going up and down, and he was making noises, indicating that his lungs were working.

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Phebe Maxwell was angry and frustrated at the paramedics' actions (Fox13)

But the medics reportedly insisted that he was dead and that the noises were just his body releasing gases.

“I’m like ‘He’s still breathing!'” Phebe told WFLA. “He’s like ‘No ma’am, he’s gone, those are just his body releasing gases.'”

After the medics left, a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy arrived to investigate the death and noticed that Maxwell was still breathing.

He was pronounced dead even though he was still breathing (Fox13)

Largo Fire Rescue crews were then called to the scene and rushed Maxwell to the hospital, where he was then admitted to an ICU.

Upon notification of the incident, Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers issued a statement stating that both the medics who initially responded to the call had been removed from their normal duties.

Chief Ehlers noted that "their ability to provide patient care had been discontinued in conjunction with the county's medical director".

Both the medical director's office and Clearwater Fire & Rescue are investigating the incident.

Phebe Maxwell expressed frustration, hurt, and anger at the situation, stating that she was worried about the potential long-term effects on her father's health.

He spent nearly a week in the intensive care unit after his cardiac arrest (Fox13)

Thomas Maxwell stayed in intensive care until Tuesday and is receiving speech therapy for slowed speech.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue stated that approximately 28 minutes elapsed between the initial call and the arrival of Largo medics.

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Chief Ehlers apologized on behalf of the city for the actions and inactions of the medics during the incident, stating that they did not follow the "strict policies and procedures" that were in place.

The medics were dispatched by a local fire department (Fox13)

He said: "These two did not perform to the standard of care that our citizens expect and deserve."

Interim Clearwater City Manager Jennifer Poirrier concurred with Chief Ehlers, saying that “when this does not occur at the level at which we expect, it is incumbent upon us to determine exactly what happened, why it happened, and then ensure it will never happen again.”

Vassia Barba