The medic was on a fire engine called to the woman's house on Nov. 17 after she experienced abdominal pain, according to WTOP.
Despite the request of the BLS ambulance crew, the medic determined the woman's condition wasn't serious, and didn't go along, the station reported.
The 87-year-old woman was transported to Howard University Hospital, where she later died of an apparent heart attack. Her official cause of death is still to be determined.
Fire and EMS Chief Kenneth Ellerbe tells WTOP the medic who declined to stay with the victim has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
The radio station reporter noted the case is similar to the death of David Rosenbaum, who died in 2006 at Howard University Hospital after first responders failed to properly assess his condition and hospital staff failed to provide immediate treatment.
Rosenbaum's family agreed to drop a $20 million lawsuit in exchange for improvements in the District's Fire and EMS protocol. Ellerbe told reporters that part of the investigation will be to determine if those protocols were followed in this latest incident.
