The Los Angeles General Medical Center Hospital Emergency Response Team has had many activations and responses in which airway management or surgical amputation was performed in the field to help with extrication. This is in collaboration with EMS personnel from the field. The most recent response involved a driver who was pinned for more than an hour in the severely damaged vehicle. Upon HERT arrival, the patient was quickly sedated, intubated, transfused with blood products and ultimately extricated from the vehicle by performing an amputation. The patient was then transported to the nearest trauma center. The patient was given every chance for survival and care continued in the operating room.

After every HERT response, a multidisciplinary debrief is held to discuss the incident. This communication helps continuously improve collaboration, process and response. The HERT’s work aligns with the L.A. General Medical Center’s goal to provide the best care to County of Los Angeles when called upon.