Systemic Failure Of Emergency Services Led To Toronto Man’s Death
Posted October 8, 2009 7:37 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A systemic failure of emergency services led to the death of a Toronto man this summer.
Jim Hearst, 59, died of a heart attack in his Alexander Street apartment on June 25. His partner Alejandro Martinez has long claimed that paramedics took half an hour to arrive at their home, despite repeated calls to 911.
An investigation by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care found that outside circumstances did not contribute to the slow response time. Instead, paramedics waited nearby before entering Hearst’s apartment.
EMS Chief Bruce Farr responded to the allegations at a press conference on Thursday.
“We at Toronto EMS extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Hearst,” Farr began.
“We have moved forward to take disciplinary action against those employees involved.”
He went on to say policy and protocol were ignored or not followed in Hearst’s case.
“There was a preventable delay…that was caused by individuals,” Farr admitted.
“Dispatchers did not follow procedure.”
According to the report, the first caller told dispatch, “He looks like he might be drunk.”
The EMS employee who answered the phone did not ask a series of questions, written on a card, that are normally asked after a report of an unconscious patient.
“I want to assure the family and all Torontonians that we have learned from what transpired and will take action to strengthen existing policies and procedures so that this situation can be prevented in the future,” he said.
Farr had requested the investigation.
Five people were disciplined, including two call takers, one supervisor and two paramedics. Farr told the media that the paramedics would eventually return to active duty.
The investigation found that the civic workers’ strike was not likely a factor in the delay
Martinez, for his part, questioned the results of the report.
“How come a paramedic who received training on these cases decided it’s dangerous because a person is drunk?” he asked. “It doesn’t seem feasible.”
Mayor David Miller released a statement in response to the report.
“I first wish to extend deepest condolences and sympathies to Mr. Hearst’s family, friends and loved ones on their loss.
“The events of June 25 were wrong and the report released today is clear in establishing responsibility. EMS Chief Bruce Farr has accepted responsibility and has acted to address each of the recommendations. I have complete confidence in Chief Farr and feel the steps he is taking to address the breakdown in protocols and supervisory oversight that led to this preventable delay are appropriate.
“While Toronto EMS provides an exceptional service to our residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it is clear that on this particular day our system did not function as it should. And for that I apologize on behalf of City Council and the Toronto Public Service.
“I am pleased that city Manager Joe Pennachetti and Chief Farr have agreed to my request for a further review of our staging policy, one that will include consultation with the provincial ministries of health and labour. This policy is relatively new and designed in a way that is unique to Toronto. It has not, however, had the benefit of this kind of review since it was implemented. If it is playing any part in causing preventable delays in our responses, we need to address that in short order.
“I want to thank the City Manager and the Chief for moving swiftly to address my concerns on behalf of all Torontonians.”
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