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...
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...
The Advanced Life Support Patient Care Standards Version 4.8 includes the “Assessment of Patients with Possible COVID-19 Auxiliary Medical Directive“. The purpose of this medical directive is to support healthcare system capacity by allowing Paramedics to treat and release specific patients who have screened positive or have confirmed COVID-19. This medical directive will be activated or deactivated...
June is a month of many celebrations, including National Indigenous Peoples month; a time to honour the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. The tragedy at the former residential school in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory near Kamloops, B.C., has reminded us of the ongoing need for...
Current Case Numbers At present, there are no (0) Communications staff in self-isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19. COVID Testing Surveillance/asymptomatic testing continues to be available for on and off duty Communications Centre staff at the Toryork testing site, no referral required. Staff requesting to attend on duty must notify the Superintendent (SCS) at...