Manitoba accepts STARS report recommendations
The Government of the Province of Manitoba, Canada, issued a statement on 23 July saying that it accepted all the recommendations of the Clinical Oversight Panel on the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) air ambulance service, including the resumption of adult inter-facility transports.
The Government of the Province of Manitoba, Canada, issued a statement on 23 July saying that it accepted all the recommendations of the Clinical Oversight Panel on the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) air ambulance service, including the resumption of adult inter-facility transports. STARS began providing emergency flights and inter-facility transports in 2011, but it was temporarily grounded in 2013 following the death of patient. In March, STARS was cleared to answer emergency calls only.
Health Minister Erin Selby commented: “Our first priority is to deliver safe, high-quality care to Manitoba families. We are confident these recommendations and the hard work of all involved will ensure a strong future for STARS and the valuable service it provides, particularly for those in rural Manitoba.”
The recommendations of the Clinical Oversight Committee include: STARS pursuing Canadian Medical Association accreditation; the establishment of a provincial paediatric transport team; the establishment of an operations liaison committee, led by the Office of Medical Director and a standards committee; the further integration of STARS into the provincial emergency medical services system through the Medical Transportation Co-ordination Centre; and the resumption of inter-facility transports.
The recommendation to resume inter-facility transports was initiated on 2 July, said the Government, due to the provincial state of emergency related to summer flooding.
Explaining the call for an operations liaison committee, Dr Brian Postl, who led the Clinical Oversight Panel, wrote in the report: “There have been serious issues in communication between STARS and department officials. This has existed for many reasons, but I note there is [an] opportunity for improvement in the formal structure for communication.”
Manitoba Health will complete the transfer of the STARS Service Purchase Agreement (SPA) to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, effective from 1 August. This process has been underway for several months, Minister Selby said, adding that it will enable medical crews to enhance their experience and training in Winnipeg’s high-volume emergency and critical-care medical system.
Andrea Robertson, president and CEO of STARS, noted: “We are dedicated to providing Manitobans with the highest quality care possible. We welcome the recommendations and look forward to working with community partners to save lives.”
The full report can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/health/ems/stars.