Quick thinking saves infant's life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chuck Broadway
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Several members of the 9th Medical Group Pediatric Clinic's quick thinking saved the life of a 6-month-old boy March 8, minutes before his family left Beale for a new duty station.

Clinic personnel contacted family members the afternoon they were scheduled to leave Beale and notified them of an immunization the child needed before the family left. Pediatric personnel waited after hours for the family to arrive for the necessary vaccination.

When the child arrived, Erin Delbasty, 9th Medical Operations Squadron registered nurse, noticed he was having trouble breathing and recommended he be seen by the pediatrician, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Perlita Tam.

When Colonel Tam arrived, she immediately requested the child be put on oxygen to help his breathing. Nurses called in ambulatory support and worked to stabilize the child, whose condition was worsening.

"The baby would not have made it if the family would have started driving," Colonel Tam said. "He was within minutes of dying. The ambulance didn't even make it off base before further complications occurred."

It was later determined the boy had inflammation of the lower airway, which caused the difficult of breathing and if not for the quick actions of the Pediatric Clinic, would have been fatal.

Colonel Tam had seen this type of situation during her time as a civilian doctor; however, many other nurses in the office had not experienced such an emergency.

"Everything happened fast, and we got him on his way to the [emergency room]," said Regina Sabala, 9th MDOS medical technician. "Afterwards, everyone was saying how he almost didn't make it, and the reality makes you think about [what just happened]."

The child was transported by ambulance to Rideout Medical Center in Marysville, Calif., and then airlifted to another medical center to undergo emergency surgery. Following surgery, he was kept on a respirator for several days and is currently doing well.

"They did an excellent job and had good teamwork," Colonel Tam said of her staff. "We are always prepared to take care of patients even if it's something we've seldom seen."

Staff Sgt. Jerrica Wild, a 9th MDOS medical technician, said she didn't realize until after the event was over how much impact the clinic had.

"It's really rewarding to know he's going to be ok, and you were a part of that," she said.

Colonel Tam said if any parents are ever unsure of what's going on with their baby, they shouldn't hesitate or be embarrassed to call. Instinct is very important, and it's good to have your child checked out if you suspect anything at all.