2013 Report on Ambulance Bay and Thank You Letter

1. Hi Geoff,
I was in the Miseracordia Hospital Ambulance Bay earlier this week and found hazards
which I've recorded with pictures on the attached document.
Pic 1. Whoever stocks the cabinets has chosen to leave the supplies that wouldn't fit
into the full cabinets on top of them. The problem is that after a couple of days, this
stock is too dirty to put into an Ambulance and is discarded.
Pic 2. While the ladders are secured properly, (hung and chained, well done!) the
power cord is a trip hazard and the shovels and brooms are not being stored properly.

2. Pic 3. Broken equipment, garbage and supplies left in the corners make the floor
impossible to clean properly.
Pic 4. Large amount of gravel and debris left in the gutters and between entrances to
the Ambulance Bay are a trip hazard.
Pic 5. The shopping cart, paint cans, shovels and safety equipment create difficulty for
crews and patients exiting the Ambulances when they're in the bay.

3. A
Overall the bay was cleaner than some, however the concerns I've noted here are
similar to ones I've seen in several Ambulance Bays over the past week.
There is quite a bit of research being done on the proper use, cleaning and
maintenance of AHS Ambulance Bays currently being done. I would be happy to share
that information with you or your designate at your convenience.
Don Sharpe
Paramedic
AHS EMS
Calgary Metro
(403) 863-2598
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RE: Misericordia Ambulance Bay WHS Report
Geoff Hoeppner
Sent: May 30, 2013 3:27 PM

4. To:
Don Sharpe
Cc:
Christine Comrie
Hi Don. Thanks for the email and bringing these concerns forward. I have contacted the
ER Manager at MCH. Below is her response:
1) EMS cupboards are often a mess and doors left open and supplies on top. I will
email the EMS supervisors because we allow them to keep their storage cabinets in the
bay but it is their job to maintain it and keep it organized. I can follow up on this portion.
2) Regarding the extension cord, this was temporary as they were doing work on the
new angel cradle in the bay. I just took a walk and the chord is now gone.
3) The blockade is still in the corner and this was also used by that team. I will
request for facilities to come and pick up the wooden blockades in the corner.
4) The dirt in the entrance has been cleaned up because street sweeping was just
done in our parking lots this last week.
5) Lastly, the shopping cart just appeared probably one day before this person
arrived. It is still in the bay and someone dropped it from target. We have phoned
target at West Ed mall and asked them to come by and pick it up. Obviously a shopping
cart return does not fall into anybodies job description so this one is a challenge to
resolve. I might eventually have to push it back myself if we get nowhere. Lol!
Thanks Don
Geoff
Geoff Hoeppner, BScPT
Manager, Safety and Hygiene
Occupational Health and Safety
Covenant Health
11111 Jasper Ave
Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre
Edmonton AB T5K 0L4
tel: 780-342-8736
cell: 780-902-4821
Visit our Occupational Health and Safety intranet page for your OHS inquires: http://
www.compassionnet.ca/OccupationalHealthSafety.asp