In Dauphin, Manitoba, a nurse and a manager were fined by their regulatory body for transporting a newborn to Winnipeg in a handivan, sparking concerns among health-care leaders. The complaints committee deemed the actions of the two health-care professionals as potentially harmful to the patient and their profession, as one of them chose to drive the baby to Winnipeg instead of waiting for a ground ambulance.
The incident occurred on October 5, 2024, when the newborn arrived at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and needed to be transferred to Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital. Initially, plans were made to use an air ambulance for the transport, but due to adverse weather conditions, a ground ambulance was scheduled to be used instead.
Facing delays in transport and the baby’s parents’ decision to leave against medical advice, the manager, who was also a registered nurse, arranged for a handivan to transport the child. Despite objections that using a handivan was not in line with established policies, the nurse agreed to undertake the transport. However, the nurse failed to conduct necessary assessments, review the infant’s health record, or plan for emergency contingencies during the journey.
The disciplinary actions imposed fines on the nurse and manager, with the nurse having 10 years of experience and the manager 20 years, mainly in a supervisory role. The nurse was fined $1,000, while the manager was ordered to pay $2,000.
Concerns have been raised by health-care unions regarding paramedic staffing shortages, which are leading to extended ambulance wait times in rural areas. The Manitoba Association of Allied Health Care Professionals emphasized the need for patients to wait for paramedics and stay in contact with dispatchers until help arrives. The union highlighted the impact of staffing gaps on patient care and called for improved resources to address these challenges.
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba emphasized the importance of upholding professional standards while supporting nurses in difficult circumstances. The complaints committee recommended better communication and support for patients in similar situations, emphasizing the need for adherence to guidelines and effective coordination with medical transportation services. Health-care leaders stressed the importance of addressing systemic issues to ensure patient safety and improve the efficiency of the health system.
