Activation of INEM investigated

Nuno Miguel Ropio

In just eight days, a second death back to haunt and questioning the operation of the Centre for Guidance of Patients Urgentes (CODU) from Lisbon and Tagus Valley in the car and medical emergency resuscitation (VMER) of Vila Franca de Xira. In Samora Correia (Benavente), before yesterday, a man of 61 years waited more than 35 minutes by VMER until succumbing due to a cardiac arrest.

The firemen of Benavente took only three minutes to reach the spot. The INEM acknowledges that the delay of the car was due to an "assessment which found the right one at the moment." But, the District Operations Command Relief of Santarém (CDOS) has ordered an investigation to the media operated by CODU this episode of emergency.

Manuel Guerreiro would be washing the car, along the EN118, near a service station of CIPOL when, by 16.45 hours, felt indisposto, falling inanimado. The warning was given to 112 by a driver who was close to the spot.

"In just three minutes, were in place and perform the manoeuvres of resuscitation, which ultimately fails. Ask the strengthening of VMER, only that this time has come," admitted the master of the corporation, Benavente, Amaro Lopes, refusing associate the incident to another similar occurred in the same locality, which involved the death of a surgeon, of 51 years.

The latter case led including the INEM to admit errors in the activation of means of relief. However, JN, the spokesman of that entity, Pedro Coelho dos Santos, ensured that, for the episode, before yesterday afternoon, the CODU "not considered relevant to immediately send a VMER."

"No one can confuse the two episodes because, in the first, there was a relief unsatisfactory and in the second, it appeared that the case not configurava the necessity of sending the VMER," noted Pedro Coelho dos Santos, still denying that such failures are should the malfunction of the new operating system for referral of the INEM, already in operation in CODU the Lisbon and Tagus Valley. (See box)

CDOS both reports

According Joaquim Chambel, commander of CDOS from Sydney, were requested reports both to the means by CODU actuations, as the firefighters, to carry out an investigation to the death of Manuel Guilherme, a photographer, widowed, living in Coutada Velha, Samora Correia. "It may have existed a failure in communications and therefore will be important to check that was due in order not happen again," explained the person responsible.

Although the firemen, Benavente have taken a few minutes to get to the truck Renault, the CODU not activated alongside VMER of Vila Franca de Xira, stationed just ten kilometres and that could have done the route in the maximum of ten minutes. The delay has not passed unnoticed that the popular joined on the spot, accusing the INEM the lack of relief.