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Premier Health Care Services Physician Alan Summe, MD, wins CERP Award

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March 4, 2008– Premier Physician Alan Summe, MD, (Fort Hamilton Memorial Hospital) wins CERP Award.

Printed with the permission of the patient.

On April 17, 2007, Firefighter Chris Gabbard was brought into the Emergency Department with paramedics performing CPR on him. He had suffered severe hypothermia—his body temperature only registered in the 80’s, he was non-responsive, and his pupils were fixed and dilated. He had no spontaneous respirations and no pulse.

Thirty-two-year old Chris Gabbard was one of four firefighters who had fallen into the freezing waters of the Great Miami River during a routine training exercise that the Hamilton Fire Department was conducting as an annual recertification process. One of the boats had gotten too close to the “boil” - the turbulent waters near the dam - and capsized, pulling over the other boat. Three of the firefighters were pulled to safety; however Gabbard had gotten dragged into the churning water. Rescuers reported seeing him re-circulating in the water, which ripped off his shirt, life vest and helmet. Gabbard was then submerged and remained lost underwater for about 20-30 minutes. His colleagues presumed the worst. It wasn’t until they were retrieving some rope from the water that Gabbard’s body was found attached to the other end.

Dr. Alan Summe was the Emergency Room physician attending to Gabbard. As soon as Gabbard was brought into the ED, a code was started, while re-warming attempts were conducted simultaneously. Dr. Summe continually had to re-code Gabbard, but was eventually able to sustain a blood pressure and pulse with a heartbeat that frequently returned to an unstable rhythm. Dr. Summe requested a cardiologist put a pacemaker in to keep his heart beating, which was done quickly. After stabilization and phone consultations with University of Cincinnati Medical Center physicians, Gabbard was flown to University Hospital for critical care treatment.

According to Medical Director, Jerry Kripal, MD, “This was an amazing case. Dr. Summe provided excellent care to an apparently dead hypothermic patient who eventually survived with no disability.”

Chris Gabbard was able to go home on June 1, 2007, after a long hospital stay and rehabilitation. He has plans to return to work as soon as possible. Both he and his family have expressed their tremendous gratitude for all involved in the rescue and medical treatment he received.

CERP – the Clinical Excellence Recognition Program – highlights Premier Health Care Services health care professionals (Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners) who have been recognized as having provided excellent clinical care in a specific Emergency Department encounter. Award winners are recognized in the Premier Perspective Newsletter, and a letter acknowledging the award is sent to the CEO, Chief of the Medical Staff, ED Medical Director, and ED Nurse Manager of the facility in which the award winner works the most ED shifts. Nominations for this award may be submitted by anyone, and the forms can be found on the Premier Intranet and submitted to your Premier ED Medical Director. Nominations are taken year-round, and winners are selected by a committee composed of the Chief Development Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and the Chair of the Clinical Services Committee. As a reward, each CERP winner receives a $100 gas card, and an annual winner will be chosen from the winners for a grand prize of $1000.00 travel voucher. In addition, the picture of the practitioner will be posted on a Premier Health Care Services Clinical Excellence Wall of Fame in the Premier corporate offices.

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