A former paramedic in Sioux City is facing a serious charge of involuntary manslaughter after a tragic mistake led to a patient’s death. The incident happened on August 18, 2023, when paramedic Deanna LaMere, who worked with Sioux City Fire Rescue, responded to a call for medical help at a home in the 2700 block of 3rd Street.
The patient, 26-year-old James Foster Jr., was in distress when first responders arrived. However, they couldn’t move him onto a stretcher because he was too agitated. LaMere, being the lead paramedic and the only one on the scene allowed to give medication, decided to administer a drug to help calm Foster down.
According to prosecutors, LaMere gave Foster a dose of Ketamine. But later, when she returned to the ambulance to get more medication, she realized she had mistakenly given him Rocuronium instead. Rocuronium is a powerful drug typically used in extreme cases and requires immediate follow-up actions, like intubating the patient within seconds to help them breathe.
Foster began to tell the paramedics he couldn’t breathe and then lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital, where CPR was performed on the way. Sadly, Foster died two days later at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center.
Prosecutors say LaMere didn’t double-check the medication before administering it, which she was required to do. They also claim that after realizing her mistake, she didn’t inform anyone or change how she treated Foster. It wasn’t until they arrived at the hospital that LaMere finally told the emergency room doctor about the mix-up.
An investigation by the Iowa State Medical Examiner revealed that Foster’s death was caused by severe brain damage and cardiac arrest due to the Rocuronium injection.
This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of accuracy in medical emergencies and the devastating consequences mistakes can have.
