On Thursday, February 16, 2017, at approximately 6:00pm, the USVI Department of Health (DOH), received an unexpected visitor at the Charles Harwood Complex (CHC), located on St. Croix. A tourist, Vincent Tortorella-visiting from the U.S. mainland-arrived at the DOH with the belief that he had reached the hospital, thru his GPS. As Commissioner Davis and other staff were exiting the CHC for the days-end, they were approached by a woman who asked if she had reached the hospital. After inquiring what the woman needed, she advised that her husband was downstairs experiencing a cardiac arrhythmia-that could cause severe cardiac complications (i.e. possibility of slowing blood flow to the heart that can cause formation of clots and may lead to a cardiac arrest). Immediately EMS staff, that is housed at the DOH, were called and responded within seconds. DOH EMS staff provided initial care and stabilized the patient. An ambulance came a few minutes later, in which care was continued on route to the hospital. Mr. Tortorella expressed his gratitude for the professionalism, knowledge, medical attention and the technology that he saw on the DOH EMS ambulance.
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
_________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2017
DOH EMS Staff Receives Thank You Letter from Tourist
On Thursday, February 16, 2017, at approximately 6:00pm, the USVI Department of Health (DOH), received an unexpected visitor at the Charles Harwood Complex (CHC), located on St. Croix. A tourist, Vincent Tortorella-visiting from the U.S. mainland-arrived at the DOH with the belief that he had reached the hospital, thru his GPS. As Commissioner Davis and other staff were exiting the CHC for the days-end, they were approached by a woman who asked if she had reached the hospital. After inquiring what the woman needed, she advised that her husband was downstairs experiencing a cardiac arrhythmia-that could cause severe cardiac complications (i.e. possibility of slowing blood flow to the heart that can cause formation of clots and may lead to a cardiac arrest). Immediately EMS staff, that is housed at the DOH, were called and responded within seconds. DOH EMS staff provided initial care and stabilized the patient. An ambulance came a few minutes later, in which care was continued on route to the hospital. Mr. Tortorella expressed his gratitude for the professionalism, knowledge, medical attention and the technology that he saw on the DOH EMS ambulance. Today, February 21, 2017, Mr. Tortorella sent a formal letter expressing his gratitude and relaying his overall experience with the DOH EMS staff. A copy of the letter is found below:
“Dear Commissioner Davis: As you may recall I am the man who found himself in need of medical attention in your parking lot, thinking we had gone to the hospital. I wanted to take this time to relate my experience. Firstly, I want to commend Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne, Paramedic Training Officer and Iotha Prince, EMT. I found their professionalism and demeanor comforting in a strange environment and under strange circumstances. After the above experience, I had the good fortune to be placed into the ambulance staffed by Janice Maldonado, paramedic and Ikusha Bassue, EMT. There in the ambulance once again, the professionalism and pride in their work showed. It made for a comfortable and stress free trip to the ER. At the ER, my luck still holding, I had the (once again) good fortune of meeting Nurse Nancy (no last name) and nurse Jahdel Jules. Here, being prodded and probed, there was nothing but care and professionalism. In closing, thank you for the quality service of your staff. Have a wonderful day. Best regards, Vincent Tortorella”
###
