Manitoba Health Minister Erin Selby has announced the temporary suspension of service by STARS Air Ambulance in the province.
A Manitoba woman died during an incident late last week.
The government deemed it a critical incident and said STARS will remain grounded while it is investigated.
In a news release, the government said STARS was transporting a patient from the Southern Health Region to Winnipeg after the patient had a cardiac arrest.
Despite the fact a doctor, paramedic and critical care nurse were on board, along with all appropriate medical equipment, the patient later died.
"On the advice from medical professionals, I've instructed my department to take this action. Up until now, I've been assured that STARS is providing appropriate emergency care, but concerns have been raised following a recent incident," said Minister Selby.
This is the third critical incident involving STARS this year. The first happened in February, and the patient chose not to go public with the details.
In May, Morgan Moar Campbell was being transported on a STARS helicopter when his breathing tube came out. The two-year-old boy was left with brain damage. His parents have formally filed a lawsuit against the company.
The province made recommendations to STARS after those two incidents. Now it’s concerned those recommendations weren’t followed.
“It’s clear based upon this third critical incident that basic medical practices and basic medical advice appears not to be followed,” says Gerry Delorme with Manitoba Health.
STARS says their staff are highly experienced and receive intensive training with the company.
"We're fully confident in the ability of our staff. You know, if there are concerns about protocol we'll address those with government and I'm sure that'll be handled during the review," says communications lead Colin Fast.
He says STARS staff will proceed as normal during the suspension, and that they’ll be ready if the government needs their services.
The government said a contingency plan has already been enacted in the absence of STARS service.
It said Lifeflight and basic air-ambulance service has been expanded to southern communities and physicians will accompany patients during ground transfers if necessary.
The province currently has a fleet of 24 basic air ambulances and two Lifeflight jets.
Selby couldn’t give a timeline for when the review might be complete, but says they will be releasing information to the public when it’s available.
“We plan to get this right, we’re not going to rush it. We will wait until we get that review and make decisions at that point when we have more information,” she says.
