Tuesday, May 17, 2011

** Washington paramedic has EMS credentials suspended after stealing meds

** New York psychiatric patient attacks medics in ambulance, flees in stolen car

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Camas, Washington paramedic, who replaced fentanyl vials with water, has been prevented from future EMS practice. That is the word from The Columbian (Marissa Harshman/May 16) which said prehospital credentials for Bradley Allen, 61, will be suspended for at least 5 1/2 years. Allen, who committed his crime over a three year period, was sentenced to two years in the clink in January. According to the newspaper, colleagues discovered his ruse last May during a routine inventory check. At the time of his arrest, Allen had been working for the Camas Fire Department for 22 years.

** New York City police arrested a man Sunday after he attacked an ambulance crew in the back of the EMS unit. CBS New York (May 16) said the incident played out as Kenneth Ashley, 20, was being transferred to a psychiatric hospital. According to the newspaper, Ashley’s attack forced the driver of the ambulance to pull over. When all three alighted from the vehicle, he smashed one of the providers in the face with a laptop computer. He then fled in the car of an off duty police officer who had happened upon the scene and offered help. Ashley was apprehended a short time later. He has been charged with both assault and grand larceny.