Tests, videos show failures of DC paramedics

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A large number of District of Columbia paramedics failed to meet minimum national standards on written exams for entry-level skills, according to documents and interviews.

Of the city's approximately 250 paramedics, about 175 went through an assessment program at a Maryland training center between March and June 2008. According to test scores for 95 paramedics in the assessment, only three scored high enough to get a passing grade. The results were obtained by The Washington Times.

Several emergency medical experts who reviewed the written results and videotaped assessments of basic lifesaving procedures said the paramedics pose a safety risk for the nation's capital.

"To be perfectly honest, I think there's a real threat here," said Paul Werfel, director of New York's Stony Brook University's paramedic program. "The safety of the people of the District of Columbia is at risk. It's a clear and present danger to them."

Complete Story from the Examiner