N.Y. Ambulance Service to Review Medication Inventory After Computer Issue

WATERTOWN — The Town of Watertown Ambulance Service will review its inventory of controlled medical substances, an official with the North Country Emergency Medical Services confirmed on Monday night.

Ann Smith, director of the North Country Emergency Medical Services Program Agency, said the state Department of Health got involved in the situation over the weekend after an issue came up regarding the computer system for Watertown’s ambulance service, so two ambulances were taken out of service.

Ms. Smith stressed that there isn’t any evidence of lost or missing drugs, but the review will make sure that “security is up to snuff.” An audit will be conducted of Watertown’s ambulance service, she said.

Both ambulances are now back on the road, she said. Crews can provide advanced life support to patients, but another ambulance service must be called to provide narcotics until the review is completed.

Ms. Smith was contacted by David C. Roof, Watertown’s ambulance squad’s president, over the weekend about the issue and agreed “to work through it.” She doesn’t know how long the review will take.

The North Country Emergency Management System is helping Watertown and the Department of Health find someone to conduct an external audit/identity of Watertown’s inventory.

Town Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett didn’t know anything about the issue and had not talked to Mr. Roof, who could not be reached for comment on Monday.

“It’s news to me,” he said. “I’m unaware of all of this.”

The Department of Health released a statement in an e-mail on Monday night.

“The Town of Watertown Ambulance service has not lost its advanced life support authorization,” according to the health department. “There was an issue with their computer system that secures and manages controlled substances medication. There have been no reports of loss, theft or diversion, but the ambulance service is working with DOH and their physician medical director to conduct a thorough review. Other local ALS ambulance services will respond should patients require controlled substance medication administration.

“The review is of the computer system, the security of the controlled substances medications and their appropriate administration in order to assure that there have been no diversions.”

©2016 Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.)

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