South Australia was struck by tragedy as a man lost his life after waiting for over 10 hours for an ambulance in Adelaide’s east. The Ambulance Employees Association (AEA) reported a significant increase in hospital ramping across all Adelaide metropolitan hospitals on December 27, the day of the incident. The man, who called emergency services for abdominal pain and vomiting, was initially classified as an Urgent Priority 5 case, indicating that an ambulance should have arrived within an hour. However, due to ambulances being stuck at hospitals, he tragically passed away before receiving medical attention.
Josh Karpowicz, an industrial officer from AEA, revealed that the Royal Adelaide Hospital had 17 ambulance crews on ramp at the time of the man’s death. Furthermore, the Flinders Medical Centre also experienced long delays in ramping patients for up to seven hours, despite available capacity in the hospital. Mr. Karpowicz emphasized that the overwhelming volume of cases caused ambulances to be tied up at hospitals, leaving communities waiting for emergency medical assistance.
In response to allegations that Adelaide emergency department staff were forced to prioritize patients in ambulances over those in waiting rooms due to ramping, the case details were provided to Professor Bill Griggs and Professor Keith McNeil. These medical experts were assigned to conduct a clinical review of the situation. Mr. Karpowicz stressed the need for improved processes, policies, and procedures to enable rapid offloading of ambulances into emergency departments during times of high community demand.
As investigations proceed, the Chief Executive of SA Ambulance, Rob Elliott, acknowledged the need for a comprehensive review to understand the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. Mr. Elliott explained that the night in question saw an exceptional surge in triple-0 calls and significant ramping, which put immense operational pressure on the ambulance service. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the patient.
Throughout the 10-hour wait, paramedics repeatedly reached out to the triple-0 caller to assess his condition, making three check-up calls. Upon recognizing the deterioration, the case was promptly upgraded to Priority 1, and an ambulance arrived within four minutes. While efforts were made to respond promptly after being informed of the worsening situation, unfortunately, it was not soon enough to save the man’s life.
This tragic incident emphasizes the urgent need to address issues surrounding hospital ramping and ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely care. The South Australian government and healthcare authorities must work together to implement effective solutions and prevent further instances of delayed medical assistance in the future. Lives depend on it.
