WASHINGTON, D.C. –
A life was saved when the critical links of the life support chain were activated after a contract employee collapsed in the Pentagon Feb. 4.
An alert Marine, Col. Donald Revell, heard the man collapse and quickly called for help, then started Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Within moments, a Pentagon Force Protection Agency officer arrived with an automatic external defibrillator.
The DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic (DTHC), attached to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), was not yet open, but a frantic knock and an emergency call activated the medical professionals. A DTHC team quickly formed and rushed to the victim.
Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Marilyn Perry, nurse Lisa Mattocks and Senior Airman Melissa Richardson were first on the scene. The medical team took over CPR and used a more advanced defibrillator delivering a total of five shocks to restore the patient's heartbeat. The cardiac rhythm on the monitor indicated the patient had suffered a massive heart attack.
DTHC cardiologist, Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Marc Alaric Franzos coordinated with Arlington Emergency Medical Service to activate the heart attack protocol with Virginia Hospital Center (VHC), and nurses Air Force Maj. Darla Mayo and Army Capt. Jose Mendoza, along with medical technician Air Force Staff Sgt. Tara Wisecup, assisted in the resuscitation and transfer of care of the patient.
Richardson described the transition as "seamless" as the DTHC team handed care of the patient over to Arlington EMS. The patient was transported to VHC for immediate cardiac catheterization where two critical blockages of the heart arteries were stented open. Less than a day later, sitting comfortably in his hospital room, the patient welcomed a visit from Revell.
"The teamwork was fluid, very cohesive and worked smoothly under immense pressure," stated Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Lawrence Acheampong, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the DTHC Laboratory Department. "We all came together for the benefit of the patient," added Spc. Argee Rivera, another DTHC team member. "I was just happy to have been able to assist by putting the right equipment in the hands of the people who saved his life."
Richardson, who is new to the military, said she has never experienced anything like this before but felt a lot more confident in herself and her team after their lifesaving efforts.
"We respond to several emergency calls each week," stated Army Col. (Dr.) Rebecca I. Porter, director of the DTHC. "This one was notable for the nature of the call and the fact that it came in before we were even open. When primary care staff [members] who were already at work heard what was happening, they sprang into action.
"I'm very proud of their competence and their ability to come together at a moment's notice to save a man's life," Porter continued. "They went home [that day] feeling very good about what they do."
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For queries, contact Natalie Hedrick, marketing specialist at the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic at Natalie.P.Hedrick.ctr@mail.mil or by phone at 703-692-8564.