Patient Praises KCKFD/EMS and Providence for Saving His Life

You never know what life has in store for you. For 49-year-old Trent Katzenberger, suffering a cardiac arrest while he was at work in western Wyandotte County was unexpected. Trent started feeling dizzy and then passed out at his work, Camping World, near the Legends. He doesn’t remember the details as he lost consciousness, but family and co-workers were thankful for the actions of an off-duty Kansas City Kansas Fireman. This individual saw Trent fall and immediately began life saving actions, including starting CPR and telling staff to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Trent and his family are now thankful for his recovery. He says he is alive due to the amazing efforts of Captain Daniel Hinkle, who works out of the KCKFD in Argentine, the Kansas City Kansas Fire and EMS crew from station 6, and the nurses and physicians at Providence Medical Center.

Trent says. “Really, if it wasn’t for the actions of Captain Hinkle, EMS and the Providence physicians and nurses, I wouldn’t be here. I look forward to being able to thank them.”

When the KCK Fire and EMS department arrived, they immediately began caring for Trent. After his stabilization at the scene, he was transported by ambulance to nearby Providence.

Trent woke up in the Providence Emergency Room but remembers few details. His mom and dad were able to visit with him. It was determined the best course of action for Trent was to take him to the Cath Lab where an ICU/Defibrillator was inserted.

According to Prashanth Katrapati, M.D., FACC, Interventional cardiologist, the defibrillator will help prevent Trent’s heart from stopping in the future.

“What the KCKFD and EMS did in the field stabilized Trent and saved his life,” said Dr. Katrapati. “Our team assembled quickly here and was able to rapidly and efficiently care for Trent in the Emergency Room and Cardiac Center.”

He added, “We are very fortunate to have excellent EMS care in Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties.”

In the Providence Intensive Care Unit, and later in the step-up Progressive Care Unit, Trent was able to slowly recovery. Residing in Basehor, Trent’s family has strong ties to Providence as his mom Barbara is a retired respiratory therapist who worked at Providence for many years.

“My night nurse Matt was so great as well as many of the other nurses and everybody here at Providence,” Trent said. “I am thankful for the care I received.”

Trent’s story is a great reminder about the importance of learning hands only CPR, Dr. Katrapati said. According to the American Heart Association, every minute CPR is delayed, a victim’s chance of survival decreases by 10 percent. Immediate CPR from someone nearby can double-event trip, their chance of survival.

“It takes teamwork in the field and at the hospital to deliver lifesaving cardiac care every day for not only those who live in Wyandotte County but those who work in the county as well.”