Thursday, February 23, 2012

** Manitoba signs 10 year contract with STARS air ambulance

** Pennsylvania medic charged for drug thefts

CANADA NEWS

** Manitoba has decided to continue providing air EMS to the province through STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) for the next decade. That is the word from the Brandon Sun (February 22) which said the government has formally signed a contract with the Alberta based service for around $10 million per year. According to the newspaper, STARS has operated in the province since last spring. Health Minister Theresa Oswald said the air ambulance organization has contributed to saving the lives of at least 50 people over the 12 month period. Though only operating for 12 hours a day currently, the Manitoba STARS will soon move to 24 hrs.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Pennsylvania paramedic has been tagged with several drug charges, after he allegedly stole both morphine and fentanyl and drank the meds. CBC (Robin Culverwell/February 22) said Delco resident Ronald Ferrell, 35, who appears in court next week, apparently committed the crimes while working for Stat Medical Transport. Suffering from Crohn’s disease, Ferrell was already prescribed Percocet and Dilaudid for the condition. Along with theft x 12, Ferrell also faces hits for acquisition of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property.