Two Michigan paramedics who wrongfully ruled a woman dead can have their licenses reinstated if they pass a national exam, according to state health department documents.
That condition comes out of a settlement between Michigan health officials and Southfield firefighter-paramedics Scott Rickard and Michael Storms, The Associated Press reports. Rickard and Storms had their licenses suspended following an Aug. 23 incident.
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The two medics responded to a call concerning a woman in cardiac arrest and went to the home of 20-year-old Timesha Beauchamp, who suffered from cerebral palsy. Rickard and Storms said they couldn't resuscitate her, and a doctor was called to declare her dead.
"“The paramedics performed CPR and other life reviving methods for 30 minutes," the department said in a statement at the time. "Given medical readings and the condition of the patient, it was determined at that time that she did not have signs of life.”
Beauchamp, however, was found alive by workers at a Detroit funeral home hours later. She was taken to a hospital, but she died in October.
The medics had their licenses suspended, and officials said they were troubled by Storms' failure to determine that Beauchamp was still alive and had misled the doctor about her vitals after a monitor indicated electrical activity, according to AP.
The settlement with the two medics will allow them to have multiple chances to pass written and practical paramedics exams for paramedics, the AP reports. Storms also must read a book for professional caregivers and receive a passing grades on two papers—one about the book and one on the protocols to determine death and cardiac arrest.
"The department is committed to ensuring public safety in our EMS system and will take all necessary disciplinary actions to ensure an incident like this does not happen again," Bob Wheaton of the health department said in an email to the AP.
