A nurse and manager in Dauphin, Manitoba, have been sanctioned by their regulatory body for using a handivan to transport a newborn to Winnipeg, sparking broader concerns within the healthcare community. The complaints committee deemed the actions of the two healthcare professionals as potentially detrimental to the patient and their profession when the baby was driven to Winnipeg instead of waiting for a ground ambulance.
The incident has prompted two healthcare unions to voice apprehensions regarding patient transfers, staff shortages, and escalating call volumes. Following the baby’s arrival at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre on October 5, 2024, it was determined that the infant required transfer to Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital. Staff at the health center contacted Manitoba’s Medical Transportation Coordination Centre to arrange transportation initially considering air ambulance transport.
However, due to adverse weather conditions, the decision was made to wait for a ground ambulance. With fog and rain affecting the area, the distance from Dauphin to Winnipeg is approximately 250 kilometers. Subsequently, a delay in transportation led the child’s parents to opt for taking their baby to Winnipeg themselves against medical advice.
The manager, who also served as a registered nurse, organized the use of a handivan to transport the child, with a nurse agreeing to accompany them. Despite the child’s stable condition as advised by the emergency department charge nurse and doctor, the decision to use a handivan for transport was contrary to the policies of the Dauphin health center and Prairie Mountain Health.
The nurse arrived at the hospital in Dauphin around 7:45 p.m., departing approximately an hour later. Although the nurse monitored the baby’s oxygen levels and pulse during the nearly four-hour journey, an investigation by the regulator revealed a drop in oxygen levels and heart rate, with no further details provided on the child’s condition.
The nurse, with a decade of experience, and the manager, with 20 years of experience mainly in supervisory roles, had not faced disciplinary actions previously. The nurse received a fine of $1,000, while the manager was instructed to pay $2,000.
Concerns have been raised by the Manitoba Association of Allied Health Care Professionals regarding paramedic staffing shortages leading to extended ambulance wait times, particularly in the Prairie Mountain Health region. The union emphasized the importance of waiting for paramedics when called and highlighted the risks posed by staff vacancies in providing timely care to patients.
The president of the union representing nurses also expressed worries about patient transport in rural areas and advocated for enhancements in the system’s efficiency and effectiveness. The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba emphasized the need to uphold professional standards while providing support to nurses facing challenging circumstances, ensuring patient safety remains a top priority.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara acknowledged the need for more rural paramedics and stressed the importance of established protocols and regulatory systems in safeguarding patient well-being. Asagwara also noted the government’s efforts in hiring additional allied health professionals to address staffing gaps in the healthcare sector.
