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Superior North EMS Western Region Achieves Certification

January 9, 2003 - Superior North Emergency Medical Services has been certified by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to operate ambulance services for the District of Thunder Bay. Inspectors from the Ministry of Health, Emergency Health Services Branch conducted an extensive review of all aspects of the operation, and have concluded that Superior North EMS meets or exceeds the majority of the certification criteria and legislated requirements. Accordingly, a certificate has been issued to the City of Thunder Bay to operate the ambulance service. The review centered on the provision of Emergency Medical Services in Thunder Bay, Armstrong, Shuniah, Upsala and Shabaqua stations.

The review procedure is similar to the certification process that all hospitals in the province must go through to receive accreditation. Inspectors observed paramedics providing patient care, interviewed other medical personnel such as nurses, and reviewed response times and other operational procedures, such as policies and procedures. "I am very pleased with the outcome of the review", said Jocelyn Bourgoin, Director of Superior North EMS. "It is an exhaustive look at all aspects of the organization, and our ability to provide emergency medical care to the people of the District of Thunder Bay. Our staff worked very hard to achieve these excellent results and should be proud of themselves ."

"The inspectors were impressed with the quality of patient care provided by our paramedics", added Bourgoin. "However, we do have some areas of concern, such as response times and paramedic staffing levels." Superior North EMS is addressing these concerns by adding additional paramedics 24 hours a day in the City of Thunder Bay, and by increasing staffing hours of the regional services, from Upsala to Manitouwadge. These additions are currently being implemented.

Inspectors from the Ministry were pleased with both the operational and paramedical standards displayed by the people of Superior North EMS. "Congratulations to the staff and management of Thunder Bay EMS (SNEMS), on their commitment to providing quality ambulance service. This commitment was evident to the team at the time of their visit", wrote Carol Hill, Co-ordinator of the Ambulance Certification and Review Team from the Ministry of Helath and Long-Term Care.