HIRAM, Maine — According to Maine EMS Director Sam Hurley, the immediate suspension facing Sacopee Rescue has been lifted.
"The immediate threat to immediately threat to public health and safety has been fixed," said Hurley. According to Hurley, upon inspection of Sacopee Rescue this week, the safety concerns that prompted the suspension has been fixed.
Maine EMS Board voted Wednesday to take immediate action on the paramedic endorsement of Sacopee Rescue, Inc.’s EMS license.
According to Hurley, this suspension came after two inspections where Sacopee Rescue was found to be non-compliant with deficiencies that "had the potential to threaten the health and safety of the public."
Hurley said the key issues facing Sacopee Rescue included missing vials of Versed, a medication used for seizures. Hurley adds there was also dried blood on medical equipment used for advanced procedures.
"They didn't have the required number of doses on their units at the time, and they had not exchanged those medications or the empty vials for the new doses in the week period they were given. Additionally, there was dried blood on some medical equipment," Hurley said to NEWS CENTER Maine via Zoom.
According to Hurley, the suspension not affect Sacopee Rescue’s ability to respond as an EMS agency in their community at the EMT-level of care, but they could not provide Advanced EMT or paramedic-level skills until they have 'cured the outstanding critical deficiencies.'
"They can administer some medications, but if they need advanced medication, or if they need a pacemaker with a cardiac defibrillator, or they need advanced cardiac skills, they will need to reach out to neighboring agencies to call in additional resources to support them, until such time that their license is reinstated," said Hurley.
Hurley added that people living in the communities that are served by Sacopee Rescue, Inc, including Baldwin, Cornish, Hiram, Porter, and Parsonsfield, should still call 911 in the event of an emergency. Hurley says EMS clinicians from Sacopee or their mutual aid partners will respond.
"Should those residents need a higher level of care, Sacopee Rescue may request additional higher-level resources as needed for management of the patient," Hurley said.
Hurley added that this action against agency violations is rare, and this is the first suspension that's been issued in his two years as EMS director.