Wednesday, January 18, 2012

** Maine hospital investigating after medics allegedly ejected patient’s spouse from ambulance;patient died en route

** Ontario medics in Thunder Bay moving into fire halls

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Officials in Framington, Maine are investigating after the widow of a Nova Scotia man complained she was ejected from the ambulance during a hospital transport Thursday. That is the word from the Associated Press (January 17) which said nurse practitioner Dana Morse has alleged improper care on the part of the paramedics for her spouse. David Morse died in the EMS unit after hitting a tree while skiing at Sugarloaf ski resort. According to the newspaper, Morse alleges she was left on the side of the road during a snowstorm after asking medics to allow her to comfort her husband in the rear cab. She had to hitchhike to hospital. A spokesman for Franklin Memorial Hospital said she only learned of Morse’ ordeal from newspaper accounts. Jill Gray said the hospital would reserve comment until their investigation is completed.

CANADA NEWS

** Amalgamation it isn’t, but Ontario medics in Thunder Bay will soon be parking EMS units at fire halls. The CBC (January 17) said the move is being touted as a measure to improve response times. According to the news service, Superior North EMS Chief Norm Gale said prehospital responders will now sport six bases instead of three. Although fire personnel may still respond to cardiac emergencies under a tiered response model, other calls could see only EMS personnel dispatched. Renovating the fire halls to host paramedics will run around $5.8 million. The decision was signed off on by city councillors Monday night.