Staten Island

Published on: May 8, 2012

Helicopter EMS – Making the Difference

by Stephen Bilkis

Many of us have seen them in the air, and hopefully none of us will ever have the need to ride in one, but the helicopter EMS (HEMS) is a service that a person is very grateful is in service. Since most of us have never had the chance to see one of these wings of mercy up close, we thought it would be an experience to take a look at one of the companies that makes sure these helicopters and their crews have the necessary equipment for these flying traumacenters.

One of the largest and most respectable HEMS companies is Air Methods, out of Boulder, CO. Since 1980, the company has supplied products to the aviation industry, and it is one of the largest HEMS operators with about 40 percent of the U.S. market. However, as the rep learned, this is not the only part of their business model. Another part of their business includes making the interiors for the military medevac helicopters, such as the HH-60 Black Hawk, and the General Dynamics Stryker medical evacuation vehicle (MEV). They also developed the SCITS (spinal cord injury transport system) for the U.S. Air Force.

Further, a reporter also discovered that the company not only manufacturers these products, they also have their own engineering staff who designs them. Some of these designs include avionics, mission systems, medical interiors, patient loading systems, and a rather unique floor design that the company says stores blood with minimal spillage. The company with offices in Queens and Staten Island is also a subcontractor to both Sikorsky and General Dynamics. It is also a FAA approved parts manufacturer.

Published on: April 28, 2012

New Scientific Model May Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients and Physicians

by Stephen Bilkis

A new scientific model may help spinal cord injury specialists more quickly determine whether a patient has a good chance of walking again before surgery and physical therapy. Current models include extensive tests that may not be as conclusive. The new model was developed in the Netherlands and is based on many different studies and findings by experts in the area of spinal injury.

Components of this model include a patients’ age, range of current motor skills, and sensitivity to touch. Older tests, such as the AIS grading system, take much longer to perform and may not be as accurate. The researchers who compiled the information to create the new model claim specialists need to be experienced in performing physical examinations of those with spinal injuries in order to make a proper diagnosis using the components in the model. Many specialists in Staten Island and Westchester have the ability to perform these examinations and should be able to tell if a patient will be able to walk again.

This study about the new model was published in The Lancet. Many new studies are available at different times during the year and provide researchers around the world with new and useful information. Being able to predict quickly whether a patient will be able to walk again may prevent painful and unnecessary surgery or a grueling physical therapy regime that could cause additional injury. This may also lower medical care costs by allowing patients to leave the hospital earlier or reduce medications prescribed if additional surgery is not necessary to repair the spinal cord.

Published on: April 26, 2012

Physical Exams and Tests Key to Determining Damage Caused by Spinal Injuries

by Stephen Bilkis

Being involved in a trauma where an individual’s head or back is hurt is a scary experience. A doctor is going to want to rule out any spinal injuries. A doctor will need to do some physical exams and run various tests to determine if you have fractured thoracic vertebrae.

During the physical exam, a doctor will look for several different changes in the individual’s body. The exam will probably start with a thoroughly check of the back to determine if there are any deformities to a vertebral bodies or to the skin of the back. Simply looking at the back will tell the doctor much of the information he or she needs to know. Depending on the trauma, the back could have cuts, bruises, or deformities. In order to determine if there is any affected vertebra, a doctor will use his or her hands to see if the bones have shifted.

Not only will the back have bruises or deformities, but also the check of the individual could have an indication from the shoulder harness or lap seatbelt if involved in a car accident. Damage to the thoracic spine can cause paralysis and the doctor will try to determine the extent of the paralysis. Many times the individual may experience trouble moving different limbs; the most common problem is moving his or her legs. Other physical exams will include checking for pain, numbness, and sensations in the body that are not natural. Spinal cord injuries are also common with fractured vertebra so the doctor will test neurological functions. Expect tests of the body’s reflexes, range of motion, and sensitivity to touch.

Published on: April 12, 2012

This is an unfortunate accident that happened to Richard Jarrett

by Stephen Bilkis

This is an unfortunate accident that happened to Richard Jarrett on September 4, 1972. Jarrett was a passenger in Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dell. At around 11 in the morning, the car driven by Mr. Dell had a flat tire along New York State Thruway. Mr. Dell promptly drove the vehicle on the left divider in order to avoid traffic. Unfortunately the jack in the car was defective so Mrs. Dell and Jarrett went out of the car and crossed the three southbound lanes, hoping that they can borrow a jack from somebody in the nearby golf course area.

As Mrs. Dell and Jarrett were coming back to their car, Jarrett carried the jack trailing Mrs. Dell by only a few feet. According to a source, from what Jarrett can recall, it was a clear day. Jarrett was carrying the large part of the jack on his left shoulder and the base on his right hand. Jarrett also testified that before he went ahead to cross the three southbound lanes, he looked to his left to see if there were oncoming traffic. He saw two vehicles approximately 500 yards (1,500 feet) away so started crossing. That was the last thing he remembered and the next thing he knew was he was already in the hospital being looked at by a doctor three months later.

Still according to a Lawyer, based on Mr. Dell’s story from where he was located, before Jarrett crossed the three lanes, there were three vehicles approaching approximately 1000 feet away. He saw the two other vehicles slowed down but the third vehicle, driven by Vincent Madifari, never slowed down. What he saw was when the two other vehicles slowed, Madifari’s car passed by them then swerved to the right. Unfortunately, Jarrett was already on that part of the road. Mr. Dell didn’t actually see the impact but heard impact and the next thing he saw was Jarrett on the ground.

Published on: April 1, 2012

Tammy Bennett was in a car accident on September 26, 2001

by Stephen Bilkis

Tammy Bennett was in a car accidenton September 26, 2001. She was pregnant at that time. She was taken to a hospital in MacClenny, Florida, near where the incident occurred. Fetal testing was performed, and the medical staff decided to airlift her to St. Vincent’s Hospital. Mrs. Bennett’s kidney failed, and they had to do a caesarean section to get the baby. According to a report, this was done by Dr. Long, her obstetrician. They started the operation at 1:16 p.m., and Tristan Bennett was born at 1:22 p.m. They noted a placental abruption. A placental abruption is a complication of pregnancy. It is when the placental lining has split from the mother’s uterus.

According to the hospital record, Tristan did not cry when she was born. Her breathing was slow, so they had to be resuscitated with a CPR mask face mask with free flowing oxygen. His Apgar score was six at one minute and eight at five minutes. This is considered as normal. The Apgar test is done to determine the health of a new born. It requires a check on the appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration, said a rep. When the Cord Blood gas test was done, it showed a profound metabolic acidosis. This meant that there was something that was causing his kidney not to clear acidity in his body. At first, she was placed at the newborn nursery but was transferred to the special care nursery after about twenty-five minutes because she was having difficulty breathing and the metabolic acidosis.

The initial problems that she had were all resolved. She had other conditions in the week that followed her birth that were all relater to kidney and liver damage. There was no continuing treatment for the respiratory distress. There was no documented neurological damage. A pediatric neurologist was not consulted or requested to check the infant. From the information found by a study, seven days after, she suffered from a pulmonary hemorrhage. There were times that she was not breathing. She was spitting blood from her lungs through her mouth. Her heart rate was really slow. Her condition was unstable the whole day and showed signs of neurologic abnormalities at the end of the day. The following day, more possible seizures and central nervous system tremors were noted. They had electroencephalogram (EEG) and computerized tomography scan (CT) done. A pediatric neurologist was consulted. There was a possible neurological damage which included a multicystic encephalomalacia of the cortex. This is multiple sized cysts in the brain typically when infants suffer a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Published on: March 28, 2012

Angelina Perez a child was represented by her father Jose Lopez in a claim for damages

by Stephen Bilkis

In a very long case that transpired from March 2002 until May 2010, Angelina Perez a child was represented by her father Jose Lopez in a claim for damages. After discovery was conducted between the parties, and mediation in October and November 2007, it was sent out to trial. It was scheduled for November 30, 2007, but it was transferred to determine a guardian ad litem as counsel for Mr. Lopez. According to a report, a guardian ad litem is a party that is assigned by the court to act in a lawsuit in behalf of another party like a child or an incapacitated adult. In the instance of an adult, he has to be deemed as incapable of representing himself. Mr. Lopez appeared to have some cognitive impairment that requires him to have a guardian. The cased stayed in that question until the Court sent out an Order to Show Cause on December 3, 2007. This was for the appointment of the guardian ad litem. In the order, they were told to appear in the court by December 20, 2007 and said that the trial to determine the guardian is in thirty days. It as well said that the parties’ should exchange Civil Practice Law Rules requirements. Robert Kruger, Esq. was appointed as the guardian of Jose Lopez, but his request for a stay in the trial was denied.

The following trial was on February 4, 2008. It was again adjourned and delayed as Mr. Lopez did not exchange his Civil Practice Law Rules 3101, which is the disclosure from a medical expert. This is what they need to establish liability, says a source. It was not addressed by Mr. Lopez until they received a letter from his wife to the court, and all the parties dated July 9, 2009 that advised the court that the firm handling the case had dissolved, and the lawyers were their case was transferred refused to handle the case. This was fixed by a conference by the court where Herbert Rodriquez, Jr., a member of the dissolved firm took responsibility of the case. They were not able to find any other lawyer either in Queens or Staten Island. The guardian was also replaced and was changed to Denise Kranz, Esq.

To give Mr. Rodriguez enough time to recreate the case, and for the Angelina Lopez and her mother to get additional Electron Beam Tomograpy (EBT), the next trial date was scheduled on April 19, 2010. A source said, the court also asked for them to provide medical records and doctor’s reports. The additional EBT had to be limited to the physical condition and the last medical treatments. The doctor to do it was to be chosen by the defendants.

Published on: March 3, 2012

The accident happened when the bus hit the driver’s side door

by Stephen Bilkis

According to reports gathered by a reporter, accident victims Charlina along with her two children Joyal and Royal Grandison were passengers on a Metropolitan Suburban Bus driven by Peter Smith. According to the accopunts of both Charlina and Smith, the accident happened around 2:50 in the afternoon of September 27, 2004 at the intersection of Old Country Road and County Seat Drive, in Mineola, New York. The accident happened when the bus hit the driver’s side door of another vehicle owned and driven by Ranjit Singh.

Still according to the reports, Singh told the court that he parked his car along Old County Road. About 30 seconds after he parked his car, he opened his door to get out. Unfortunately, even though he did not open his car door any wider than necessary (can only fit one man to go out) his car door was hit by Smith who was driving the Metropolitan Bus at that time where Charlina and her two kids where passengers. Singh also said that he did see the bus approaching that is why he tried to get out of his vehicle at the time he did. But he also said that he opened his car door with caution, opening it only wide enough for him to get out.

According to the testimony of Smith, he did not feel any impact as a result of the collision between the side of the bus and Singh’s car door. He only saw the accident when he had already passed Singh’s car to see that their vehicles indeed made contact. Smith also said that he was only travelling about 5-10 miles per hour at the time of the accident.

Published on: February 14, 2012

Woman in Manitoba Sues Doctors for Not Detecting Cyst

by Stephen Bilkis

A woman of Thompson, in Manitoba, Canada is suing the Burntwood Regional Health Authority and four doctors for the brain damage she suffered after a spinal column cyst went undetected for more than a year of medical visits.

The Thompson woman is now unable to work as a First Nations mental health counselor and needs daily assistance, alleged experts. The Burntwood Regional Health Authority in Thompson claims they have not yet received the statement of claim and the allegations remain unproven in court.

The suit is for unspecified damages, including loss of income.

Published on: January 12, 2012

Baseball Player Injured after Colliding with another Player

by Stephen Bilkis

A baseball player for the Georgia Bulldogs was injured during a game when he ran into another player. Both players were trying to catch a line drive during the third inning. The player, an outfielder, was taken off the field in a stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital, reports the team trainer. The player was treated for a few minor injuries and then underwent neck surgery to stabilize his spine. At present, little information is known whether the player will suffer permanent spinal injury like a herniated disc. The player was transferred from the hospital and rehabilitation center, however.

The player is a 20-year old junior who had played 117 games for the Bulldogs. Additional stats include 91 starts and a .312 overall batting average. The player was injured in a game against Florida State. The player’s coach has offered his condolences to the player’s family and hopes the player recovers soon. The player will most likely have to miss the rest of the baseball season. Hopefully, he will be able to return next season to play as a senior.

The other player, a second baseman, was able to walk off the field without help from medical personnel. He suffered only minor injuries. This is not the first incident of a Georgia State baseball player ending up with spinal injuries. In 2009, another player was riding his scooter on campus when he was hit by a campus vehicle. The player ended up paralyzed from the waist. This ended his baseball career, says a doctor.

Published on: November 27, 2011

Blow Out Injures Octogenarian

by Stephen Bilkis

Studies have learned of an 84-year-old man who lived the life of a man decades younger. He didn’t take any medications, played golf, traveled, walked four miles most days, and worked out three times a week.

Part of that fitness routine was work on an inflated exercise ball, until the day after Thanksgiving 2009. He was sitting on the ball, pulling cables attached to weights, when the ball popped without warning. The fall to the hard floor broke his back causing spinal injury.

It was weeks before he learned the ball had been recalled in May of 2009. After surgeries and resulting digestive complications, he walks slowly and can’t sit or stand for extended periods, according to observers in Staten island and Westchester County . He also has to take blood pressure medication. His exercise is physical therapy to keep the pain in his back at bay.