2008 Woodie Awards
Asthma scare sparks concerns about student healthcare
Amber Chemam
Issue date: 4/2/07 Section: Front Page
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The University's handling of a student's severe asthma attack on campus has caused some to question the adequacy of UST's emergency response procedure.
Around 11 a.m. on Feb. 20, freshman Ana Silva exited her classroom in the Malloy Hall basement after she said she began to have trouble breathing.
Silva collapsed in the hallway but was able to ask for help before her breathing became too labored to speak. Three students and a professor stopped to offer assistance.
Freshman Dave Do, who is in the same class as Silva, witnessed the incident and provided help. "I used to work at a hospital, so I've had at least some basic training on what to do in case of certain emergencies," Do said.
"I gave her the inhaler and did my best to keep her from banging her head on the floor or the wall. She was starting to convulse due to lack of air."
After being contacted by psychology professor Jamie Leonard, who also witnessed the incident, a security officer was the first on the scene but was unable to provide any assistance.
Health Promotion and Wellness Coordinator Amanda Alvey arrived soon after. Alvey and all security guards are certified in both first aid and CPR, but no one with further medical expertise is employed on campus. A nurse was employed until the position was eliminated in December 2005. Paramedics arrived within another five to 10 minutes.
Silva was treated by rescue workers on campus but refused transport to the hospital. Silva said she wanted to go home but was advised not to drive by paramedics.
Alvey drove Silva to Texas Children's Hospital in Alvey's car, accompanied by Do.
According to Do, Silva suffered another attack while in transport. Alvey said that because she was driving she could not perform CPR when Silva stopped breathing: Silva had to wait for CPR until she was at the hospital. She suffered two fractured ribs during the resuscitation.
Silva said she did not remember the car ride but was later informed that her brain had been deprived of oxygen long enough to cause seizures.
Around 11 a.m. on Feb. 20, freshman Ana Silva exited her classroom in the Malloy Hall basement after she said she began to have trouble breathing.
Silva collapsed in the hallway but was able to ask for help before her breathing became too labored to speak. Three students and a professor stopped to offer assistance.
Freshman Dave Do, who is in the same class as Silva, witnessed the incident and provided help. "I used to work at a hospital, so I've had at least some basic training on what to do in case of certain emergencies," Do said.
"I gave her the inhaler and did my best to keep her from banging her head on the floor or the wall. She was starting to convulse due to lack of air."
After being contacted by psychology professor Jamie Leonard, who also witnessed the incident, a security officer was the first on the scene but was unable to provide any assistance.
Health Promotion and Wellness Coordinator Amanda Alvey arrived soon after. Alvey and all security guards are certified in both first aid and CPR, but no one with further medical expertise is employed on campus. A nurse was employed until the position was eliminated in December 2005. Paramedics arrived within another five to 10 minutes.
Silva was treated by rescue workers on campus but refused transport to the hospital. Silva said she wanted to go home but was advised not to drive by paramedics.
Alvey drove Silva to Texas Children's Hospital in Alvey's car, accompanied by Do.
According to Do, Silva suffered another attack while in transport. Alvey said that because she was driving she could not perform CPR when Silva stopped breathing: Silva had to wait for CPR until she was at the hospital. She suffered two fractured ribs during the resuscitation.
Silva said she did not remember the car ride but was later informed that her brain had been deprived of oxygen long enough to cause seizures.