Ambulance Driver Leaves Patient on Cleveland Street, Calls Uber Home

CLEVELAND, Ohio: A private ambulance driver left a patient waiting Wednesday evening after getting lost en route to the Cleveland Clinic. The driver, who works for a private ambulance company rather than Cleveland EMS, told the woman he was done driving for the day and called an Uber to take him home.

The patient had been experiencing chest pain. Once the driver departed, a Cleveland EMS unit arrived at the scene. CARE Local 1975, the Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees, said its paramedics provided medical care and transported the woman to the hospital.

A CARE spokesperson said in a statement: "We stand by our EMTs, paramedics and dispatchers who strive to provide the best care to anyone who is in need of it."

A spokesperson for the private ambulance company told WOIO that patient safety and quality care are taken seriously, and that immediate steps were taken once the company learned of the situation to address the matter and make sure the patient's care needs were met. The company said it is continuing to review the circumstances and will take appropriate action based on those findings. The spokesperson declined to comment further, citing personnel and patient-related matters.