Monday, August 10, 2009
** Cleveland tightening sick time requirements to prevent staffing emergencies
** Donated US ambulance bound for Tonga lost in transport during Pacific storm
** UK medics under investigation after misdiagnosing fatal meningitis tot as having Swine Flu
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Sick notes will apparently be the rule of the day when it comes to Cleveland paramedics booking off ill. That, at least, is the word from News Net 5 (August 7) which said the new requirement is attempting to prevent future staffing emergencies caused by mass book-offs. According to the news station, forms will need to be filled out within 24 hours of a medic returning to the job. Those taking more than six sick leave days will be checked on at home by city staff. The move comes mere days after the EMS chief canceled stats and holiday time for a week after discovering not enough providers to fill rosters.
** A California ambulance donated to the small Pacific Island of Tonga is likely at the bottom of the sea after the boat carrying it capsized last week. KERO 23 (August 6) said the unit, which was donated by the First Methodist Church in Bakersfield, was packed with medical supplies. Dozens of people on-board the ferry have not been accounted for and are believed dead. Although scant information is available, it is known that the boat encountered heavy seas during the evening hours.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A pair of Norwich paramedics could be on the hot seat, after diagnosing a two-year-old girl with Swine Flu even though she later died from meningitis. The Daily Telegraph (Heidi Blake/August 7) said EMS was hailed to the home of Georgia Keeling last Tuesday, after the tot developed a high fever, bruising and a rash. According to the parents, paramedics advised the adults to keep Georgia on Tamiflu and bed rest. Several hours later she was transported to hospital where staff failed to resuscitate her. Tasha Keeling and Paul Sewell said they questioned the practitioners as to whether their daughter could be suffering from meningitis, but were dismissed. A public advisory from the Meningitis Trust had warned the public days earlier that the brain disease can sometimes be mistaken for H1N1. Keeling and Sewell have now launched a formal complaint with the East of England Ambulance Service. An internal investigation is underway.
