** New Orleans rapidly losing medics due to burnout, violence

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Louisiana’s ambulance service in New Orleans is experiencing extreme problems with paramedic retention. That is the word from Nola.com (Matt Sledge/Nov 5) which said New Orleans EMS is seeing a 40 per cent turnover rate. According to the news site, substantial upswings in call volumes as well as violence directed against medics are contributing to the problem. In 2017, for example, turnover was only 17 %. Meanwhile, the current vacancy rate is also 23%. EMS chief Bill Salmeron said the service is attempting to quell medic concerns by offering a self-defence course for practitioners, at the same time as piloting body worn cameras. In addition, providers are being offered a 10 % pay increase over three years and a $1,500 retention bonus for EMTs and $4,500 for paramedics.

** Colorado family sues Colorado Springs paramedic, ambulance service over woman’s death

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Colorado family from Colorado Springs have filed suit against a paramedic and his ambulance service after a woman died following EMS injecting her with ketamine in 2018. That is the word from Yahoo News (November 4) which said relatives of Jerica LaCour allege that American Medical Response medic Jason Poulson administered the drug despite another EMT on-scene objecting. According to the news site. LaCour was drunk, crying and lying in a parking lot January 11, 2018 when the ambulance was hailed for assistance. Shortly after being given the med, she stopped breathing. The family’s attorney, Daniel Kay, says since LaCour was calm and not showing signs of excited delirium there was no reason to give her the drug. A subsequent autopsy cited the cause of death as both alcohol and ketamine intoxication. Toxicology tests also showed she had ingested cocaine shortly before her death.

** New Orleans paramedic in Louisiana arrested for allegedly stealing hospital patient’s drugs, money

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Louisiana medic from New Orleans was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing drugs and money from a hospital patient’s vehicle. That is the word from Nola.com (Michelle Hunter/November 2) which said Porras Payea, 24, has been tagged with simple burglary and obstruction of justice. According to the news site, Porras allegedly pilfered marijuana and cash from a patient that had driven to the hospital after being shot, parking in the ambulance area. Ostensibly trying to move the car to patient parking, Payea apparently helped herself to the vehicle’s contents. Her actions were caught on the hospital surveillance cameras. Payea admitted her theft to police, explaining she did it to protect the patient from getting into trouble. A date for her upcoming court appearance has not yet been set.