By Sarah Klein
Winnipeg paramedics now have another tool at their disposal to better treat patients at the scene of an emergency.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s Medical Advisory Committee has voted in favour of expanding ambulance-based Primary Care Paramedics (PCPs) scope of practice. This allows paramedics to start IVs, which will provide a higher level of care and greater health outcomes for patients.
“This is a positive step forward for emergency medical services in Winnipeg,” said Chris Broughton, president of Paramedics of Winnipeg, MGEU Local 911. “This allows the ambulance-based paramedic teams to complement each other better, which in turn means better care for Winnipeg families in the event of a medical emergency.”
Paramedics have long been calling for their skills to be better utilized and believe this will further integrate them into the overall health care system.
Starting an IV is a specialized practice, which requires paramedics to undertake the procedure on a regular basis to keep their skills up. Broughton says for the move to be truly successful, the WFPS should ensure all paramedics charged with performing this procedure are able to do this.
