Lack of drugs a risk for patients in emergencies

Published: Monday, September 10, 2012, 12:01 a.m.

Emergency crews worry the constant switch-ups could lead to a paramedic making a mistake that could cause a patient pain, injuries or even death. Without careful planning, they also potentially could run out of the drugs they need to help people as they're taken to the hospital.

"In the meantime, we're just having to really be on our toes and adjust on the fly," said Scott Dorsey, acting deputy chief and medical services administrator for Snohomish County Fire District 7 in Clearview.

Drugs commonly administered by paramedics that have been affected by shortages include medicines for people having seizures or who are suffering from cardiac or respiratory trouble. In addition to treating pain, paramedics often need to sedate or anesthetize patients as well.

In Snohomish County, fire departments and their medical supervisors are working to find solutions while they wait for a federal fix, they said.

"Our personnel are having to rethink what they do on a real routine basis," Monroe fire Capt. Cindy Coker said.

Drug shortages have been making national headlines for about two years now.

Hospitals and emergency rooms have faced similar issues with shortages, as have cancer treatment centers.

The shortages vary by type of drug and duration, but happen largely because of problems with product quality, drugs being discontinued and companies not having enough room or resources for production, said Steve Saxe, executive director of the state pharmacy board and a licensed pharmacist.

State officials are monitoring the issue.

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Lack of drugs a risk for patients in emergencies