HomeMy WebLinkAboutelijah-mcclain-verdict-memo-010924-final
Colleen Chawla, HCSA Director
Lauri McFadden, EMS Director
Zita Konik, MD, Medical Director
Main: (510) 618-2050
Fax: (510) 618-2099
ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY
Emergency Medical Services Agency
1000 San Leandro Blvd, Suite 200
San Leandro, CA 94577
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 15, 2024
TO: Alameda County Paramedics and EMTs
FROM: Alameda County EMS Agency
SUBJECT: Impact of People v. Cichuniec and Cooper Verdict on EMS Industry and Clinical Practice
Dear EMS colleagues,
As you may be aware, on Dec. 22, 2023, the verdict in the People v. Cichuniec and Cooper trial involving
the death of Elijah McClain was announced by an Adams County District Court jury in Colorado. Mr.
McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, tragically lost his life in 2019 after an encounter in Aurora, Colorado,
with law enforcement and subsequent administration of ketamine by paramedics. The verdict, which
found two paramedics guilty of criminally negligent homicide, has sparked significant public
attention and debate, raising important questions about the role of emergency medical services (EMS)
clinicians in similar situations.
This case serves as a reminder that providing excellent patient care remains the top priority for all
emergency care and requires continuous quality control. The scenes where chemical restraint is likely to
be used are often chaotic. Reviewing protocols for midazolam routes and dosages for sedation may
increase administration accuracy and patient safety. As with any medication administration, continuous
monitoring and reassessment is a key component to patient care.
In the coming six months the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency will be reviewing our
existing policies and protocols related to:
• Patient assessment
• Use of chemical and/or physical restraint
• Administration of weight-based medications
The goal of our review is to update these policies and protocols to more clearly outline when it is
appropriate to use chemical restraint, eliminate weight-based medication dosages when possible, and to
develop education on assessment and treatment of behavioral health patients—all with the goal of
improving patient care and reducing errors. We will share any prospective updates through our normal
collaborative processes such as Quality Council, keeping everyone informed and engaged in our ongoing
efforts.
On behalf of the Alameda County EMS Agency, I thank you for your dedication and commitment to
clinical care and the communities that we serve. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to reach out to EMS Medical Director Dr. Zita Konik at Zita.Konik@acgov.org or your immediate
supervisor.
Sincerely,
Lauri McFadden
Director, Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency