‘We have got to fix this’: Denver mayor weighs in on culture within Denver Health paramedic division

Denver’s mayor is promising main adjustments to the tradition and practices inside the paramedic division at Denver Well being Medical Middle after greater than a yr of experiences from Denver7 Investigates.

“We now have acquired to repair this,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock advised Denver7 Investigates in an unique interview. “We now have acquired to enhance your complete system.”

Since July 2021, Denver7 Investigates has aired greater than a dozen tales exposing a questionable tradition inside Denver Well being’s paramedic division.

A sequence of interviews with some present and former paramedics has revealed that paramedics had been pressured to bypass nearer Stage One trauma facilities to carry vital sufferers again to Denver Well being. Some paramedics stated they had been questioned and scrutinized for taking sufferers to different, nearer hospitals as an alternative of Denver Well being.

Earlier this yr, sources with the Denver Fireplace Division led Denver7 Investigates to emails showcasing delays in response occasions from Denver Well being paramedics that left firefighters ready to assist deal with sufferers. In addition they offered a database that confirmed vital wait occasions for firefighters on scene earlier than an ambulance might arrive. In some cases, firefighters waited 20, 30 or and in some instances greater than 40 minutes.

“This isn’t OK,” Hancock stated. “No one deserves to be in ache or to see their cherished one die after they know we might have saved them.”

‘We now have acquired to repair this’: Denver mayor weighs in on tradition inside Denver Well being paramedic division

Denver7 Investigates additionally discovered radio communications exhibiting that no ambulances had been obtainable on a number of emergencies.

“The folks of Denver will not be getting the service they assume they’re getting,” former Denver firefighter Kevin Apuron beforehand advised Denver7 Investigates.

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Denver Fireplace Chief Desmond Fulton additionally expressed frustration in how the system is presently working between Denver Well being and Denver Fireplace for emergency paramedic calls.

“I need it modified as quickly as potential,” he stated.

Hancock sympathized with Fulton and different firefighters who spoke out.

“It’s painful to observe,” Hancock stated. “I really feel for the households, I really feel for the firefighters that I do know need to do their perfect.”

Hancock stated town has been engaged on points for greater than 10 years, however that issues have regressed.

“I’ve not been shy about considerations about response occasions and about what we imagine we have to do,” Hancock stated.

Hancock’s group is presently in contract negotiations with the management of Denver Well being on a brand new contract and stresses that the brand new deal will carry main adjustments to how town manages emergency calls, together with permitting firefighters to supply extra life-saving help.

“Our firefighters have a want to play a higher position to assist save folks,” Hancock stated. “We’ve acquired to allow that… We need to share within the duty to avoid wasting lives. It’s a giant deal.”

He additionally stated what has been uncovered isn’t acceptable and won’t be accepted transferring ahead.

“In case you are speaking in regards to the late responses, or choosing the proper emergency room for the perfect care, the quickest care, none of that’s acceptable at the moment,” Hancock stated. “So we’re going to do our perfect to make it possible for we restrict these varieties of powerful selections and unsuitable selections sooner or later.”

Sources inform Denver7 Investigates that some adjustments might embrace Denver Fireplace hiring its personal medical director. That change would probably enable firefighters to supply superior life assist after they arrive earlier than paramedics. Hancock stated he want to have this resolved by the top of the yr.

Denver Well being CEO Robin Wittenstein additionally sat down with Denver7 Investigates. That report is slated to air at 10 p.m. Friday.