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All of us must be concerned about law enforcement's response to Dr. Mohamad Harb's accident scene and the failure to recognize a medical emergency.
| Saturday, Jun 28 2008 6:19 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Jun 30 2008 10:57 AM
The shocking report of a Kern Medical Center surgeon being detained after a traffic accident and his medical care withheld demands a review of the Bakersfield Police Department's training and procedures.
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Dr. Mohamad Harb (Photo courtesy Steven G. Gibbs)
Inconsistencies between reports made by a nurse who arrived on the scene, by ambulance personnel that responded and by a police officer also require investigation.
According to the police report, officers were dispatched at 6:55 p.m. on Nov. 24 to an accident scene near the intersection of 24th and Oak streets. A Mercedes driven by neonatal surgeon Dr. Mohamad Harb had swerved off the road, coming to a stop on the sidewalk.
A witness reportedly kept Harb from leaving the scene. When police arrived, the 57-year-old doctor, who was dressed in his surgical scrubs, appeared to be disoriented and confused.
When an ambulance arrived, Harb's vital signs and blood-sugar levels were checked and found to be normal. But because he had been placed in handcuffs, the ambulance crew reported they could not conduct a neurological exam.
A Hall emergency medical technician reported that a police officer administered two breath tests, which did not indicate Harb was under the influence of alcohol. According to the EMT, the officer canceled the ambulance, rather than having Harb taken to a hospital.
By happenstance, a registered nurse, who had just concluded working a shift at KMC with Harb, arrived at the intersection. Recognizing the doctor and alarmed by his appearance, she stopped.
The nurse identified herself. Although she could provide no information about Harb's medical history, she reportedly asked if officers had called an ambulance.
"The female officer said, 'One already came, but he's going with us,'" the nurse recalled in a written statement.
Outraged, the nurse demanded another ambulance be called and Harb taken to a hospital. The nurse noticed Harb's pupils were "pinpoint and sluggish to react." When the ambulance arrived, the doctor's gait was unsteady and he was drooling as he walked to the gurney.
In a claim filed against the city which is the first step in the filing of a lawsuit Harb's attorney alleges police caused permanent brain damage to Harb by restraining him, possibly hitting him on the head and negligently delaying treatment for a stroke by canceling the first ambulance crew that responded.
For patients experiencing symptoms of stroke, including slurred speech, confusion and loss of balance, the American Stroke Association Web site warns: "Call 911 immediately if you experience symptoms! Time lost is brain lost!"
Harb survived, but he is at home, where he is receiving nursing care and physical therapy.
This is a personal tragedy for Harb and his family. It is also a loss to the community of a critically needed medical resource. Harb cared for some of Kern's most desperately ill babies.
But all of us must be concerned about law enforcement's response to this incident and the failure to recognize a medical emergency.
Assistant Chief Bryan Lynn said the Bakersfield Police Department will review policies and training in the wake of Harb's case. Police officers are required only to have first aid and CPR training.
Personnel with higher medical skills are dispatched to emergency scenes by other departments, Lynn said. Police officers are required to update their first aid training every three years.
Clearly training needs to be increased and awareness raised to prevent future tragic mistakes.