911 calls and EMS records request

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

2/24/2023

Dear Sherri Hanna Obion County Emergency Communications District,

Under the Tennessee Open Records Act, §10-7-503 et seq., I am requesting copies of all 9/11 call recordings, transcripts of calls and radio chatter, call dispatch logs and ambulance dispatch radio recordings, EMS PCR and EMS event clinical presentations from 11/30/2020 and 12/1/2020 related to a pregnant woman in labor with twins at 31 weeks' gestation.

According to federal CMS records at approximately 9:42PM on 11/30/2020, EMS transported the pregnant female patient to a hospital across state lines. -- “EMS Paramedic #1 documented, ""...patient [Patient #1] is 31 weeks gestation with twins...Patient accepted by [Physician #3] at [Hospital #2] labor and delivery department. Patient needing facility with NICU, which is not available at sending facility...Assessment during transport, patient became anxious and feeling like she needed to push during transport. EMS upgraded to lights and sirens at approximately 10:21 PM. Patient complaining of back hurting, anxious, needing to push. Very restless. Stated she feels like she is having contractions. On arrival [Hospital #2] was directed to L&D [labor and delivery] floor by ER staff. Directed to room by LD staff. Patient moved to hospital bed on her own. Report given to staff. EMS left patient in bed with staff at bedside. While obtaining signatures it was discovered by [Hospital #2] staff that this patient was to have been transported to [Hospital #3], that they don't have NICU or accepting doctor at their facility. EMS advised staff all paperwork had [Hospital #2] as receiving facility. EMS had conversation with nursing supervisor in parking lot after patient had been delivered to L&D and signed for. Was explained to her that EMS can't just load her [Patient #1] back up and take her to [Hospital #3] due to being in [State #2] we are licensed for [State #1]..."". EMS stated they can transfer across the State line, however they can not transfer from hospital to hospital in a State they are not licensed in.”

“At 10:45 PM a L&D RN at Hospital #2 documented, ""Moaning heard in the back hallway of labor and delivery. RN to hallway to find patient [Patient #1] on stretcher with 2 EMS [Emergency Medical Services] workers...escorted pt. [Patient #1] and EMS personnel to room...patient was moaning, stating 'I need to push.' RN asked EMS where they were from because no one from here was aware that we were receiving a transport... EMS states [Hospital #1]. RN asked how far along the patient was and he [EMS] replied '31 weeks pregnant, with twins.' RN states at this time 'are you sure she [Patient #1] is supposed to come here because we don't have a NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit]?'... He [EMS] states 'we don't either and that's why they transported her here'. Pt [Patient #1] states at this time 'y'all don't have a NICU either? I need a NICU.' EMS states 'the patient was fine until the last 20 minutes or so' as he and RN assisted pt to bed. RN states that this patient was probably supposed to go to [Hospital #3] and EMS worker states 'the paperwork I have says [Hospital #2].' RN looked at paperwork and sees [Physician #3's] name as the accepting physician and informs them that he [Physician #3] does not practice here [at Hospital #2] ..."

“Review of Hospital #3's medical record for Patient #1 revealed the patient arrived at Hospital #3 via ambulance on 12/1/2020 at 12:46 AM.”

I request that the records I seek be provided in electronic format.

Additional information that may be helpful for finding responsive records:

HOSPITAL 1 -- BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL UNION CITY ADDRESS: 1201 E Bishop St

Union City, Tennessee

Date of CMS investigation completed 12/15/2020

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

The Tennessee Open Records Act requires a response time within seven days. Should you deny my request, or any part of the request, please state in writing the basis for the denial, including the exact statutory citation authorizing the denial.

Thank you for your consideration,

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 7 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Kent Hoover, a citizen of Tennessee, in coordination with Karen Rodriguez.

Hello,
Thank you so much for your response. The radio log, audio and any other documents regarding communication with Baptist ambulance 892 are responsive records for this request. Please let me know when we will obtain those records.

Thank you so much.