Woman Ignored By EMTs Died Of Asthma Attack

Photograph of Eutisha Rennix's son, fiance, sister and mother by Kathy Willens/AP

Preliminary results from an autopsy have revealed that an asthma attack claimed the life of a pregnant 25-year-old who died after two EMTs refused to treat her inside a Downtown Brooklyn cafe. Now, the question is, could Eutisha Revee Rennix's asthma attack have been treated?

"Had the asthma attack been addressed, would she be alive today?" said her lawyer Sanford Rubenstein, according to the Daily News. "That's the question that needs to be answered." The body of Rennix — who was six months pregnant at the time of her death — was exhumed this week by the Brooklyn medical examiner's office. The autopsy results go against earlier reports that Rennix died from cardiac arrest after having a seizure at work on Dec. 9. The errors in the initial findings were caused by "a mixup between Long Island College Hospital and the medical examiner's office, which allowed Rennix to be buried before an autopsy was performed," the tabloid reports.

The attorney representing the medics — who have been suspended and could face criminal charges — says his clients "are being maligned" and that they never saw Rennix, who was ailing in a back room of the MetroTech Au Bon Pain while they were buying breakfast. But the victim's coworkers claim they informed the EMTs of the pregnant woman's condition and begged them to provide treatment to Rennix, who reportedly felt shortness of breath and intense stomach pain when she collapsed. The victim's mother said her daughter always carried her asthma equipment with her, and that the EMTs could have found it, or given her another kind of treatment.

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By Ben Muessig in News on January 8, 2010 10:37 AM

Comments [rss]

why me

Judging by the certain judgment in the tone of some of these comments, some of you were there -- what did you do to help?

stripe

I've turned blue from an asthma attack, and was quickly brought back to breathing by a device called a nebulizer available on all EMT trucks. No one should die of an asthma attack -- sometimes that puffer just stops working and you have to take this next step.

WuttuPJesus

yet another sad story. EMTs cant be responsible for everything. it's like holding a lifeguard responsible for a child drowning in a pool when they are on ocean-watch.

MEDICNYC

I am not entirely certain what this story has to with the parallel you made in your comment.

Spirit of 76

No, it's actually like a couple of lifeguards standing on the beach saying, "Hey, we're off duty, wearing street clothes and aren't carrying a rescue can. You can't expect us to go after that guy caught in the riptide. There's a lifeguard station a few hundred feet over there. Go talk to him."

NannyState

Who was on watch here? A selfish pair more interested in their bagels than looking at a dying woman?

Snoopy

It ain't going to make no difference irregardless of the common use of the word "irregardless."

Soggy

Irregardless is a word, actually, it just never gained the popularity that regardless has so it sounds weird. It means the same thing, but if you use it you risk people trying to make you feel stupid by saying it doesn't exist, thus it's best to stick with regardless.

Clarice City

Irrespective is a word. Regardless is a word. Irregardless, despite its frequent usage by people whose education ended with High School, is not a word. It is a double negative.

hotstepper

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IRREGARDLESS

not popular or standard, but it is a word.

stargirlinnyc

I was about to include the same link.

"The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IRREGARDLESS

Clarice City

"Use regardless instead."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IRREGARDLESS

Spirit of 76

Hey, if they're going to promote non-standard words that flaunt ignorance, allow me to offer a second such option: "irregarding." Although truth to tell, it's still more logical than "irregardless." Deconstruct the latter word and it becomes "not without regard." So that means "with regard"?

Clarice City

So, 'fantabulous' is a word just because your kindegarten teacher used it? Why would you use a word that makes you sound stupid when there are two other standard English words? I just don't get it. If you were to publish anything using that word it would be edited out in no time. Just because it's used in vernacular speech doesn't make it correct. Aghhh! I just really hate that word.

hotstepper

regardless or irregardless of your take on this word do you not find it ironical that we're speechifying semantics on this post?

i sure do!

Clarice City

You got me.

hotstepper

damn. all she needed was her puffer? it's easier to wash your hand of this if it was a complicated and highly complicated medical issue, but asthma?

not looking good for those negligent EMTs.

Jen S

I want to say "how could this possibly get sadder" but am worried that, with the current record, it could.

24gotham

Irregardless of the asthma attack, the two EMTs were irresponsible on all levels, and should face the consequences.

longbrass9lbd

Irregardless is not a word.

I'm sorry the woman died. The EMT's should have at least held her hand while she died, because it doesn't sound like they could have done much else.

I can understand why two people who work at a desk job who just happen to be around with no equipment or prophylaxis wouldn't be too quick to go sticking their fingers in people.

These two people may quite possibly the dumbest of the bunch but how many readers wouldn't have done the same? A large part of medical training includes proper prophylaxis.