“I do not apologize for my actions. I hope that everybody sitting up there would’ve done the same thing if placed in our position.”
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – The case involving a Powell County EMS worker and the judge executive who administered antivenom earlier this year has been dismissed.
The patient, James Harrison, is director of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. According to the Kentucky Board of EMS (KBEMS), only wilderness paramedics are authorized to give antivenom. On Tuesday, Harrison, the EMS worker, and Judge-Executive Eddie Barnes appeared before KBEMS’ Preliminary Inquiry Board to learn the outcome of the case.
Barnes addressed the board directly, acknowledging the legal implications but standing by his decision.
“I do not apologize for my actions. I hope that everybody sitting up there would’ve done the same thing if placed in our position,” Barnes said.
Barnes has maintained that he believed EMS workers could give antivenom after being told by his medical director, Walt Lubbers, that the policy had changed two years ago. Lubbers disputed that claim.
“Two years ago, the wilderness scope of practice, as an advanced practice paramedic, was initiated, but it has never been in the scope of practice for a paramedic to administer antivenom,” Lubbers explained.
Lubbers argued that Harrison’s life may have been saved by the flight crew’s decision to intubate him. Harrison strongly disagreed.
“I am the person who writes the books about the venoms. To say that, ‘oh, you could’ve given him saline, you could’ve done this,’ I’d be dead. You wouldn’t be talking to me right now,” Harrison said.
After several hours of deliberation, the board dismissed the case. They also clarified that they are not the body responsible for determining whether an EMS worker keeps or loses their license.
Barnes expressed relief after the decision.
“We don’t have to worry about what may happen or what’s gonna happen, we can now go back to helping people,” he said.
Harrison submitted several letters from doctors supporting the way his snakebite was treated.
State Senator Brandon Smith also released a statement praising the decision:
“Today’s decision affirms what the public, the victim’s family, and medical professionals have said all along. These paramedics are heroes. Their quick action and sound judgment saved a life, and I am thankful that with the dismissal of this case that fact is fully recognized.
“While I am grateful this case has been resolved, the rule that brought us here must be revisited. No regulation should place red tape above human life or leave first responders fearing punishment for making the right call in a crisis. I urge the governing bodies to review the scope of practice requirements so that paramedics are never again put in this position.
“Powell County and all of Kentucky thank these heroes for their quick action to save a life, and it is my hope their effort will result in a constructive change to administrative regulations that will not discourage heroic action in the future.”
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