A death that was inevitable

The most recent incident of misjudgment by D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel in the case of a 2-year-old child points to how little progress has been made in improving the agency's level of service as was promised in the aftermath of the tragic David Rosenbaum case in 2006 ["D.C. EMS faces review in death of girl, 2," Metro, March 4]. The scope of practice for emergency responders does not include making independent transport decisions based on presumptive diagnoses. The decision not to immediately transport a 2-year-old with respiratory symptoms is inexcusable.

As a pediatric emergency physician, EMS medical director and advocate for quality emergency medical services for children, I have stated often for the public record before the D.C. Council Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary just how little attention D.C. Fire and EMS has paid to preparing its workforce in the care of children. It was only a matter of time before a pediatric Rosenbaum case surfaced.

Joseph Wright, Upper Marlboro

The writer is senior vice president of Children's National Medical Center in Washington.