2021 Class A Medal – RC Beth Goudrea

On August 16, 2021, at 20:51 hrs, the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for assistance in a rescue of a 23-year old female who had accidentally ingested antifreeze on a sailboat 380 miles offshore of Bodega Bay. The DEC Supervisor contacted EMS SC Niels Tangherlini for guidance, and he selected RC Beth Goudreau.

Rescue Captain 4 Beth Goudreau, while en route to the SF International Airport for deployment, contacted Poison Control for consult. Upon arrival she briefed with the Coast Guard personnel to determine what equipment would be necessary to manage a patient in an unknown status, given space and weight limitations. Capt. Goudreau prepared for every possible patient presentation including cardiac arrest, altered mental status, hypothermia and more. 

After a turbulent, several hour flight including one refueling stop aboard the Coast Guard Cutter, the rescue crew had a limited time based on fuel to affect a high risk rescue. Capt. Goudreau initiated care immediately after receiving the patient from the Coast Guard team, removing wet clothing, treating for hypothermia, obtaining a baseline set of vital signs and completing a full assessment. The patient was severely obtunded and in critical condition. She secured an airway and initiated positive pressure ventilation, obtained interosseous access, EKG monitoring, performed shock management with fluid bolus and vasopressor drip and stabilized the patient under sedation. This complex patient would be a challenge under normal circumstances with a full team, however with one EMT to assist in a dark helicopter with little space, flying in turbulence, this would challenge any experienced paramedic. Once the aircraft landed at SFO, Capt. Goudreau assisted in the ground transport to SFGH until transfer of care approximately 9 hours after her call was received by the DEC. The patient was discharged from the hospital and walked out days later after recovering from the incident. According to Rear Admiral, USCG Brian Penoyer, “The patient’s miraculous, full recovery and discharge are a direct result of Captain Goudreau’s skill and care. She displayed the highest level of professionalism and dedication to her craft despite a cramped, unfamiliar and punishing work environment, ultimately resulting in a life saved!”