A Calgary paramedic has fallen critically ill after being exposed to drugs during a call this past week, according to the Alberta Paramedic Association.
In a post on Facebook, the association said Ryan B. was put on mechanical ventilation and medication in an ICU after falling “critically ill from a drug exposure.”
“Ryan attended an emergency scene call in Calgary where he had toxic exposure,” executive director Mark Moebis said Saturday.
The paramedic is out of the ICU, however, ongoing organ dysfunction means he is still very sick.
“The long-term effects are still unknown,” Moebis said.
Alberta Health Services, along with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), are investigating the incident, according to the vice-president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, the labour union which represents paramedics in the province.
“We’re well aware of the incident and our staff are actively involved in this,” Trudy Thomson said.
“Will follow up after the fact. He’s getting care and we’re pleased about that. In terms of what happens next, we won’t know until those investigations are fully completed.”
In a statement Monday, Alberta Health Services said its review of the incident is ongoing.
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“For employee and patient privacy reasons, we are unable to make any further comment at this time.”
Thomson confirmed the incident happened this week, but didn’t know how it happened or what drug was involved.
She said the union asked for the OHS investigation, which was granted on Friday.
Thomson said first responders risking encounters with drugs is a “big concern” for the union, a sentiment echoed by the Alberta College of Paramadics.
“As drug potencies increase, so too does their danger, which creates the potential for a challenging situation for practitioners responding to those calls,” executive director and acting registrar Becky Donelon said in an emailed statement.
“When it comes to the men and women who put their lives on the line for Albertans, more can always be done to ensure they return safely to their families at the end of their shifts.
“As the regulator for the profession, the college continues to work to address areas of practice that can help improve the safety of paramedics in the interest of practitioners and the public they so diligently serve.”
Donelon added the college sends its sympathies to Ryan and his family as they deal with the difficult situation.
The paramedic association is asking Albertans to contribute to a HELP Fund through Alberta Help Fund as the family deals with Ryan’s ailing health.
“This is a paramedic and a family that needs us to come together as a family,” Moebis said, adding the family is asking for privacy at this time.
Alberta Help Fund is a non-profit organization that provides help to paramedics during “times of tragedy.”
— With files from Global’s Carolyn Kury de Castillo and Tracy Nagai
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