search and rescue
KSAR is recruiting
It takes a special person to do search and rescue. Are you one of them?
ThursDAY March 7, 2013
bambi at the buffet
cans please
City urges residents to use garbage cans to keep deer out. See LOCAL NEWS page 5
See FEATURE page 3
The Bulletin
Proudly serving kimberley and area since 1932 | Vol. 81, Issue 45 | www.dailybulletin.ca
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Photos courtesy Frank Ackermann
Kimberley Track Attack Skiers had a fun and successful weekend of XC-ski races in Revelstoke this past weekend at the BC Midget Championships. See more page 4.
ER doctors declare a ‘state of emergency’
BCER calls for public support for campaign, plan to deal with reduced staffing levels and increasing ER visits Barry Coulter
The doctors who work in British Columbia’s emergency rooms have declared a “state of emergency” in emergency medical services. Increased patient visits coupled with ongoing staffing cutbacks have created an ongoing overcrowding crisis in B.C.’s ERs. The British Columbia
Medical Association’s section of emergency medicine this week launched a campaign, including a plan to deal with the situation, which is outlined on its website, www.bcemergencycare. com. The situation is complex, according to the campaign website, but can be boiled down to two basic points: “A
failure to hire enough doctors to keep up with patient needs, and a failure to move admitted patients into wards.” Dr. Jodie Turner, an emergency room doctor at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, describes how this situation can play out on the front lines of emergency medical care.
“I started working (at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital) 16 months ago,” Turner said. “Within a month, it was announced that staffing hours would be cut back. In 15 months, there has been a significant reduction in doctor hours and a significant increase in ER visits.” Turner said that in a 24hour period, there are only
four hours where there are two doctors on duty in ER. This “overlap” time is decreasing, as well, Turner said. “We are currently understaffed by half a doctor,” Turner said. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re by yourself and you get ‘slammed’ — with 20 patients waiting and three am-
t s a f k a e Br perfected!
bulances coming in at once — it’s pretty bad.” Since the East Kootenay Regional Hospital also functions as a region-wide referral centre, the on-duty doctor is also often called away to deal with referral duties while patients are waiting.”
See ER , Page 5
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