Wednesday, October 3, 2007

** Peel Region, Ontario medics brace for call volume spike

** Australian ambulance union cries foul over old ambulances

** Florida paramedic facing felony drug charges

CANADA NEWS

** A decision by Pearson International Airport to use firemen instead of nurses for emergency response could see Peel region call volumes skyrocket. That is the possibility being dangled by the Toronto Sun (Kevin Connor/October 2) which said the development, which takes effect in December, will mean medics will need to be hailed to ensure patients are medically stabile. As many as 700 emergency patients are currently vetted by Pearson nurses each month.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** Victoria’s Metropolitan Ambulance Service is taking heat for keeping aging ambulances on the road. The Herald Sun (Ellen Whinnett/October 3) said the units, which have exceeded 150,000 km on their engines, are now being retained until 230,000 kilometres are reached. Service chief Greg Sasella said the decision is backed by research from Monash University. The medics’ union, however, has derided the move, saying miserliness is more at the root of the choice. Secretary Steve McGhie said the service is not only rying to avoid the sting of purchasing new units, but it is also demurring because of the poor resale price on the widely available vehicles.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Brevard County, Florida paramedic is facing felony charges after allegedly forging prescriptions for Oxycondone. Florida Today (Jessica Raynor/October 2) said Daniel Joseph Bogan, 32, of Orlando, will appear in court November 26 on the third-degree felony tag of obtain/attempt to obtain drug by fraud. A colleague, Christopher Pletka, 33, was also charged with the infraction. He resigned from his job last week. Police say the incidents occurred while both men were off duty.