Last month, we were all heartbroken at the horrific discovery of 215 unmarked graves at a residential school in Kamloops in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory. From the oral histories and testimonies of residential and day school survivors, we suspected that this would not be the last discovery of this kind. Sadly, that fear...
The new version of MPDS (13.3) has built in updates for the Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance Tool and our screening process will be updated simultaneously. Effective June 23, 2021 (after the v13.3 MPDS upgrade), the three screening questions listed under Medical Director-approved Special Instructions will change to: Has s/he tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 21 days?...
On June 23, 2021, at 05:00 hours, MPDS will be upgraded from version 13.2 to version 13.3. The update process will take approximately five minutes. While the update is in progress, ProQA may still be used to process calls, though the Call Taker will have to manually enter the Nature/Problem field on the Emergency Call...
Provincial Update Earlier this week, the Ontario government announced that second dose intervals for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine would be further accelerated from 12 to 8 weeks, with informed consent. The decision was made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, including the Ontario Science Advisory Table. City of Toronto Update The...
Paramedic Kristy Cowie is a member of the Anishanabe (Algonquin) Nation from Renfrew County on Golden Lake, near Petawawa. Known as the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, these First Nations people reside on the south side of the Bonnechere River in the Ottawa Valley. Kristy says that according to family lore her Grandfather married the then...
As paramedics across Ontario, continue to provide exemplary care in the midst of a world-wide pandemic, it is with incredible pride that I am able to announce the enrollment of our 300th patient in the Double Sequential External Defibrillation for Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation (DOSE VF) Randomized Controlled Trial!! The challenges we have faced in getting to this point have been significant. While we were able to move along nicely through the...
On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the 2021 Paramedic Spring Continuing Medical Education (CME) and N95 respirator fit testing will begin. Both CME and fit testing will occur on duty, and in various locations throughout the city. Crews will be assigned to training locations by the Communications Centre (CACC) during their shift. The CME will include...
On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the 2021 Paramedic Spring Continuing Medical Education (CME) and mask fit testing will begin. Spring CME Paramedics will be assigned to one the following locations to complete their CME (dates/time subject to change): 01 Station1300 Wilson Ave.Hours: 07:00-00:00, 7 days/week Rubes Centre895 Eastern Ave.Hours: 08:00-23:00, Monday-Friday Fit Testing Paramedics are...
This week, an unthinkable act of violence took place in London that claimed the lives of four Muslim family members and seriously injured a child. Islamophobia and other forms of racism have no place in our city. We stand with our Muslim colleagues and the community in denouncing this act of hatred. Please take some...
Last week, I shared a message with you on standing against hate and discrimination, which is unfortunately on the rise for several communities. Sadly, I’m writing you again today because of the terrible act of violence in London, Ont. which claimed the lives of four family members and injured a young child. Three generations of...