BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
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NEWPORT — A Sullivan County nurse was recognized this week for her efforts that Sullivan County commissioners say may have saved an inmate’s life.
Rebecca Dupont, a licensed practical nurse who works at both the Sullivan County Health Care facility and the Sullivan County House of Corrections, was awarded a commendation from the Sullivan County Commissioners on Monday. According to County Manager Derek Ferland, Dupont exercised quick judgement last summer that likely saved an inmate’s life.
On July 26, while Dupont was on duty at the House of Corrections, she noticed that an inmate was wheezing and visibly struggling to breeze. After notifying Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Brenda Slossber of Valley Regional Hospital about the inmates’ apparent condition, she received direction to call for an ambulance to transport the patient.
“At the time of the ambulance call, the offender’s [oxygen] saturation level was at 83 percent and she was deteriorating rapidly,” Ferland said, reading from a letter of commendation signed by the commissioners.
At the time of the call, readings taken by pulse oximiter showed the inmate’s oxygen saturation falling below healthy levels. Oxygen saturation readings are used to estimate the amount of hemoglobin in the blood that has binded with oxygen, expressed as a percentage of the total hemoglobin in the blood stream. Normal oxygen saturation readings for a healthy person are around 95.
Shortly before the ambulance arrived, however, the inmate lost consciousness. Within moments of the patient’s collapse, oxygen saturations were measured at 73 percent – below the threshold under which organ function can be impaired.
Although the inmate was found to be unable to take in oxygen at that time, Dupont and Capt. Joe Brookens lowered the inmate to the floor to perform chest compressions until the ambulance could arrive. The inmate was later transported by helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where she later recovered.
Commissioners thanked Dupont for her efforts last summer her continued work at the House of Corrections, providing medical care to inmates.
“We appreciate your flexibility and willingness to help us in [the HOC and Sullivan County Health Care],” Commissioner Jeff Barrette said
The identity of the inmate has not been made public.
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