Quick Action Following an Apparent Cardiac Event in Housing Unit

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports on Monday, August 6, at approximately 9:15 A.M., Deputy Liebig called a medical emergency after finding an inmate lying unresponsive on the floor in the common area of a housing unit.

Officers and medical staff found the inmate unresponsive and staff could not detect vital signs.  An automated external defibrillator (AED) was attached, and Registered Nurse Westfield began to administer CPR.  An AED assessment indicated shock was necessary and a series of five shocks were delivered.  When the fifth shock was delivered, personnel detected a pulse. 

Licensed Practical Nurses Bannister and Bolock, Registered Nurse Woodside, and Nurse Practitioner Julien continued to administer CPR until the inmate began breathing on his own.

Members of the Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps arrived and assumed care of the inmate and later transported him to Buffalo General Medical Center.  The inmate remains under hospital care.