Kentucky Paramedics Face License Review After Administering Lifesaving Antivenom
Two Kentucky paramedics are facing potential license revocation after administering antivenom to a man bitten by a venomous snake. The incident occurred when a Jameson’s mamba bit Jim Harrison, co-director of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, who was in critical condition. Despite receiving authorization from an ER doctor, the paramedics administered the antivenom without the required “wilderness paramedic” certification, which is now under investigation by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS). A hearing has been scheduled to determine their professional fate, but officials suggest the outcome often results in dismissal or additional training.
John Q. Hosedrinker