February 15, 2007
An Alaska National Guard Blackhawk helicopter set down on the State Highway in Bethel to bring a critically ill infant directly to the hospital. (Photo by Danielle Dizon.)
Health Aides' resourcefulness makes a difference
By Leif Albertson
Andrea Matchian
Snow and fog continued to choke the coastal village in which Andrea Matchian found herself. As a float health aide she was accustomed to dealing with unfamiliar surroundings, poor weather and medical emergencies, but this time was different.
The patient was a 5-week old infant who came in with a fever. Before Andrea even finished the exam, she had a Bethel doctor on the phone. This child was clearly having severe respiratory distress. A quick look out the clinic window into the unapologetic whiteness made it obvious: no planes would be coming in today.
Carefully following the doctor's instructions, Andrea delivered oxygen to her patient and prepared additional equipment in case the child stopped breathing altogether. Then, from the medical supplies at the clinic, she selected a 24-gauge intravenous catheter. She took a deep breath, knowing she would need to insert the diminutive needle into a barely visible vein on the back of the sick infant's hand. Comforting the patient's mother, she steadied her hand, focused her thoughts and advanced the razor sharp bevel of the needle towards the child's pale hand.
Four hours later, help finally arrived in the form a Blackhawk helicopter courtesy of the Alaska National Guard. Out of the deafening cloud of blowing snow surrounding the helicopter, the familiar form of blue and yellow uniforms emerged. Aeromed paramedics had arrived. Andrea, meanwhile, was sitting with the patient's mother comforting her. The IV had been placed correctly and Andrea and another health aide had been taking turns with the patient in a constant bedside vigil.
Climbing into the hulking black aircraft, Andrea strapped herself in to the uncomfortable military seat. The enormous engine roared and more than 20,000 pounds lifted smoothly from the snowy ground. Andrea continued to comfort the mother and assist with Aeromed efforts as they approached Bethel. By this time the condition of the child was so critical that a decision was made to land the military aircraft at the nearest possible point to the hospital. The Bethel Police were dispatched to stop traffic and the Blackhawk landed in the middle of State Highway.
Onlookers stared in disbelief as paramedics with the sick child shrouded in a bright blanket hurried up the hospital ramp to the emergency room. Now everything was in the hands of the emergency room staff. Her work done, Andrea slipped unnoticed from the bustle of the Emergency room and headed home to her own family.
Andrea Matchian is originally from Chevak, and has recently moved to Bethel.
Special thanks to Dr. Roll and Dr. Carrellas for their support. Special thanks to Gemma Akerelrea, CHP, for her role in dealing with this emergency in a compassionate and professional manner.
Clotilda Tikiun
Disturbed by an infant's death in her community, CHA Clotilda Tikiun asked herself what she could do to prevent this sort of tragedy in the future.
She recognized the importance of the health aides who arrived on the scene to deliver emergency care, but still she felt an important step was missing. How can we improve the emergency medical care available to infants and children throughout the Delta? The simple answer: increase the number of emergency care providers. She sat down and drafted a letter detailing her plan.
As a mother herself, she reflected on the time she had spent at ANMC with her own baby. The staff there took the time to train her to do CPR. Why not offer this CPR training to mothers here in the Delta while they are in Bethel?
She sent her letter out and it was well received. Starting in January, the YKHC EMS department entered into a partnership with the Prematernal Home to offer a monthly course to expectant mothers. Those who complete the two-day Medic First Aid-Pediatric course receive a certificate. Topics covered include choking, CPR, and basic first aid.
We at the Community Health Aide Program want to thank Clotilda for taking the initiative to make her idea a reality. By enlisting mothers from across the Delta we will greatly increase the number of trained emergency responders.