Private Ambulance Driver Accused of Abandoning Patient in Cleveland

A private ambulance driver transporting a chest-pain patient to Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland got lost and abandoned the patient, according to The Guardian. The incident took place on Wednesday, Oct. 28, while the patient was on the way to the hospital.

The driver worked for Lynx EMS, a private ambulance company, and not for Cleveland Emergency Medical Services, the city's emergency medical service. Reports said the driver told the patient he was done driving for the day and called an Uber to take him home.

A Cleveland EMS unit responded after the driver left, gave care to the patient and took the patient to the hospital. Cleveland19 reported on Oct. 30 that the driver of the private ambulance was accused of abandoning the patient.

The Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees Local 1975 clarified that the ambulance involved was not a Cleveland EMS vehicle but one run by a private provider.

Lynx EMS said it took immediate steps to address the matter and to ensure the patient's well-being after learning of the incident. The company said it is continuing to review the circumstances and will take appropriate action based on what it finds.