Brian Meade EMT-P, Paramedic, Receives WOW Award for Outstanding Care

The WOW Patient Experience Initiative recognizes team members who engage with patients/families, visitors and employees in exceptional ways, providing a superior level of commitment and reflecting the values of Wood County Hospital. Brian Meade EMT-P, Paramedic was selected as the November WOW award winner for going above and beyond.

Since the 2020 pandemic, finding experienced staff for all shifts to help with patient transportation has been difficult. Notably, it is very common to have patient transportation canceled because the pre-authorized or arranged ambulance service would be canceled or delayed.

Last fall, a critically ill patient had been in our care for an extended stay for several weeks. The patient would improve and then relapse. Eventually, the patient improved to the point of being able to be discharged, the pre-authorization was accepted and the pickup appointment time was set. Unfortunately, the pickup time came and went; no ambulance service was available despite the efforts of the case managers. Moreover, the pre-authorization to the nursing home was on track to expire at midnight on the day of the discharge. The process would start over if transport for the patient was not available for the patient to be discharged.

Brian Meade, a paramedic who works closely with many squads, pulled some strings and arranged for a transport before midnight. Brian stepped in and made arrangements to ensure the patient was successfully discharged and accepted at a care facility within the time constraints.

Brian has been with Wood County Hospital for 29 years. He first started in the school aid program after his parents (who both worked at WCH) suggested he look into the opportunity. During his time at WCH he has worked many different roles in Emergency Care supporting as a (ED Tech, EMT, TA, PCT and Paramedic). When asked what he enjoys most, he shared that he enjoys figuring out how to best help people during emergency situations and finds fulfillment in the problem solving aspect.

In his work he shared that he is always open to , “find ways to improve the way they approach patient care in all aspects.” He also highlighted the great team work in his department stating, ” It also helps that my coworkers are amazing people and we try to see the positive in stressful situations.“