Call of the Year
Trauma team honored for saving life of crash victim
On the evening of September 23, 2006, 24-year-old motorcyclist Laura Graff was broadsided by the driver of an SUV. Instantly, she sustained severe trauma throughout her body. Her heart’s main artery, the aorta, had been torn, allowing blood to gush into her body cavity. Her pelvis was shattered. She suffered horrible facial lacerations and fractures.
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According to Dr. Chris Salvino, medical director of the Trauma Center, any one of Laura Graff's injuries could have killed her. Taken together, Graff "had a very small chance," he says. | |
Due to the severity of her injuries, she had virtually no chance of survival. Yet, thanks to the incredibly fast, well-coordinated care from John C. Lincoln’s Trauma Center and Glendale Fire Department paramedics, Graff beat the odds.
In recognition of the their teamwork and dedication, Glendale Fire Department bestowed the “Call of the Year” award to John C. Lincoln’s trauma team, Glendale Medic Unit 158 and Engine Crew 157 in a ceremony held March 15 at a Glendale, Arizona fire station. Graff was in attendance to offer her profound gratitude.
A Hit-and-Run Tragedy
Graff’s story is a triumph in trauma care and testimony to how a selfless bystander can make a profound difference in an accident victim’s life.
Surveillance video shows that the driver responsible for the wreck got out of his car and gazed at Graff lying in the street for 45 seconds before he drove away. Another 10 to 12 drivers drove past, as well. Fortunately, a pair of nurses—who were merely passing by—pulled over and initiated the phone call that would be hailed “the call of the year.”
Arriving at the accident scene, firefighters stabilized Graff by clearing her airway and administering a breathing tube. Yet, on the way to the Trauma Center—where Laura could receive the highest level of specialized emergency care available—her heart stopped. She had gone into massive cardiac arrest.
In response, paramedics immediately performed rapid-fire CPR—100 compressions a minute—to keep her heart going until they could deliver her to John C. Lincoln’s trauma team. They had no way of knowing that Graff’s aorta was torn.
Virtually nobody survives more than a few moments with a torn aorta. That type of extreme injury entails a one- to two-percent chance of survival, according to Chris Salvino, MD, medical director of the Trauma Center and trauma surgeon.
“Any one of those injuries alone could have killed her,” Dr. Salvino says. “But collectively, she had a very small chance.”
Yet, Glendale firefighters, paramedics and John C. Lincoln’s trauma specialists weren’t daunted by survival rates when they rushed to care for Graff.
Forever Grateful
This experience left an indelible impression on Terry Graff, Laura’s grateful father. “The whole trauma team was ready and waiting to jump into action as soon as the ambulance arrived,” he remembers. “They were amazing. Every single one of them was brilliant and compassionate.”
The Glendale Fire Department also acknowledges that without the expertise of the John C. trauma team, Laura wouldn’t be here today.
“Paramedics don’t save lives, we prolong them,” says Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick. “Trauma surgeons save lives.”
Graff required resuscitation by the trauma team under the guidance of trauma surgeon Kara Villareal, MD and many hours of surgery by cardiovascular surgeon, Kevin Brady, MD. And her recovery required months. Even at the “Call of the Year” ceremony held in March, she still walked with a cane. Regardless, she showed virtually no outward signs of her injuries; she looked remarkably healthful and vibrant.
“It’s been a tough haul. It’s a miracle she survived,” says Terry Graff. “I will be forever grateful to John C. Lincoln for giving me back my little girl.”