David Castro, 21, was involved in a road rage incident off of Hwy 151 and Potranco Road. As the two vehicles came to a stop at a traffic light outside of the Methodist ER | Legacy Trails free-standing emergency room (FSER), both individuals exited their vehicles. A male stabbed Castro in the chest three times before fleeing the scene. Despite suffering severe trauma, Castro was able to walk into the entrance of the FSER just before collapsing. A security guard at the admissions desk caught him and immediately called for swift medical attention.
The entire team at Methodist ER | Legacy Trails sprang into action, including Dr. Matthew Streitz, an emergency medicine physician and military trauma specialist. In seven minutes, Castro was administered three units of blood and hooked up to chest tubes, which stabilized his condition. The team was able to coordinate appropriate transport where Castro would later receive level 1 trauma care.
A department of Methodist Hospital, Methodist ER | Legacy Trails is a walk-in medical facility that provides 24/7 emergency care, including serious, sometimes life-threatening emergency medical conditions such as chest pain, respiratory distress, abdominal pain, broken bones or dislocated joints, serious infections, injuries, and stroke symptoms. If patients require a higher level of care, they are transferred to Methodist Hospital or another Methodist Healthcare facility.
While FSERs provide access to emergency physicians, nurses, and laboratory and radiology technicians who can do complex blood testing and advanced imaging capabilities, it is rare for level 1 trauma patients to present. Typically, these patients would be transported via ambulance to the best-choice hospital for suspected medical conditions, such as a trauma center.
Methodist Hospital leaders hosted a surprise reunion celebration for Castro and his mother to meet the Methodist care team who saved his life as well as the EMS crews who provided transport.