INEM investigates death of 20-year-old after VMER (emergency response vehicle) ‘declared inoperable’

INEM, Portugal’s National Institute for Medical Emergencies has launched an investigation into the death of a 20-year-old woman after a VMER specialist emergency response vehicle failed to reach her because it became inoperable while being dispatched.

The incident occurred yesterday in the northern district of Vila Real and has prompted renewed scrutiny of the country’s emergency medical response system.

According to INEM, its Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU) received an emergency call at 12:58pm reporting that the young woman was suffering from dyspnoea, or severe breathing difficulties.

Because the nearest emergency medical resources were already attending other incidents, dispatchers sent an ambulance from the closest available unit at Santa Marta de Penaguião Volunteer Fire Brigade, approximately 20 kilometres away.

After the local emergency team informed CODU that the woman had gone into cardiac arrest, INEM activated the VMER (Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle) based at Vila Real Hospital.

However, the institute said the medical team reported the vehicle was inoperable just as it was about to leave for the scene.

“At the moment it began its journey, the team informed CODU that the vehicle was inoperable,” an INEM spokesperson told Lusa. “That information was immediately passed on to the team at the scene, which continued assisting the victim by carrying out Basic Life Support manoeuvres using an Automated External Defibrillator.”

The young woman subsequently died.

INEM said it is now “establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident” and extended its condolences to the victim’s family.

The case has also drawn attention from the Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians.

Union president Rui Lázaro said it received a complaint on Thursday and is gathering further information.

According to the preliminary account received by the union, both fire brigades serving the municipality of Vila Real had no ambulances available when the emergency call was made, forcing dispatchers to mobilise firefighters from Santa Marta de Penaguião.

Lázaro said the VMER should have been deployed because of the seriousness of the emergency, but alleged it remained at the hospital because of a technical fault.

“The vehicle reportedly did not leave because it was inoperable due to a problem with its key, which was not being recognised,” he said.

The investigation comes as Portugal’s emergency medical service continues to face intense public and political scrutiny over staffing shortages, equipment failures and response times.

INEM has not yet indicated whether the vehicle malfunction contributed to the woman’s death, or whether disciplinary or technical investigations will follow once the inquiry is completed.

Source: noticiasaominuto/ LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.