We want to thank the amazing paramedics, emergency room Dr. Venter, and ER staff for saving Ken’s life.
Also Dr. Rooke, Dr. Evans and nursing staff at South Okanagan General Hospital for their excellent care when Ken returned to our home town hospital.
We are so fortunate to have such professional medical personnel in Oliver.
Ken and Gail Blidook, Oliver
What happened?
Joy Peterson, unit chief of BC Ambulance Service in Oliver, and paramedic Ron Caldwell were dispatched to a call with details that indicated time was of the essence.
The patient was a 69-year-old male with a sudden onset of chest pain radiating through his jaw and arm.
The ambulance crew arrived on scene quickly, began the appropriate interventions and transported the patient to South Okanagan General Hospital.
Moments after transferring the patient to the hospital bed, he arrested. The paramedics began CPR and administered two AED (automated external defibrillator) shocks. The doctor then asked the paramedics to transport this patient to Kelowna General Hospital where an after-hours team was brought in to meet the paramedics and treat the patient.
The patient experienced unstable heart rhythms throughout the transport and was found to have an 85 per cent blockage in his left anterior descending artery.
He had two stents (tubes) inserted and the paramedics then transported him to Penticton Regional Hospital for recovery.
Although the patient has not fully recovered, he and his family have expressed their gratitude to the paramedics, dispatchers, call-takers, emergency room personnel and doctors involved for helping provide consistent care throughout the ordeal and giving him the greatest chance of survival.
