Actions that save lives: new powers for paramedics and police officers

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QMI agency

Thursday, 8 march, 2018 20:12

UPDATE
Thursday, 8 march, 2018 20:14

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Quebec will soon give new powers to the paramedics and police so they can take actions critical that can save lives.

They will now be able to use tools to intervene on a patient whose airways are blocked, then remove the problem.

They will also be allowed to do the maintenance of some medical devices, which will be helpful when they are going to transfer the patients from one place to the other.

“[Paramedics] are going to be able to transport patients, provide clinical monitoring, without a nurse is required to perform the transportation between the two facilities,” said Diane Verreault, director at Urgences-santé.

The police can also make a gesture that they had up to now not have the right to ask. That is to say that, when they arrive on an accident and someone has an open wound, they will be able to use a technique that is already being taught in first aid courses, that is to say, “untar” the wound with bandages. Up to now, they had the agreement of the doctors to do these manipulations.

“That is what we can help them more with appropriate training, so that they can really make the difference? Because they are often the first on the scene. These are not the doctors who are first on the scene,” said Dr. Jean-Bernard Trudeau, assistant general secretary at the College of physicians.

The College will soon allow other professionals to take actions reserved to the doctors. This will especially be the case for dietitians and physiotherapists.