Friday, August 22, 2008
** 5 k race raises funds for Florida paramedic with amputated arm
** New South Wales medics to use mechanical restraints on unruly patients
** UK medic runs through Middle East to raise funds for children
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Fundraising efforts for a Florida paramedic who lost her right arm in an spring ambulance crash continue. The Times-Herald Record (August 20) said an August 10th 5 kilometre race at the Florida Fun Fest raised $6,000 for Bonnie Ames, 21. Ames’ arm was amputated and her spinal cord damaged following the April 14th mishap in which the EMS unit crashed into a parked truck. Ames, who was riding in the passenger seat, sustained serious injuries after the side of the vehicle was torn off on impact. Several other fundraising events have been held in her honour, including a May 13th EMS night at Shea Stadium in New York.
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** In an effort to deal with aggressive patients, medics across the state will be using mechanical restraints. That is the word from the Lithgow Mercury (August 21) which said the devices are expected to be installed in all units. The move follows a trial of the straps earlier this year. According to the newspaper, the latter saw restraints employed 22 times, seven of which involved patients with mental health issues, while nine related to patients having taken drugs or alcohol;fourteen instances also saw complementary chemical restraint applied. Training on the devices will be complete by June 2011.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A North West Ambulance Service rapid response paramedic is embarking on a 300 kilometre Middle East fundraising ride for two children’s charities. The Wirral News (Carrie Catterall/Wallasey News/August 20) said Hoylake resident Ron Schank, 42, will undertake his journey September 20-24. Beginning in Metulla, North Israel, he will proceed through Galilee and Tel Aviv before ending in Petah Tivka. Shank, who raised money in February 2002 for US emergency workers impacted by 9/11, will donate funds collected to Claire House and Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel.
