Staten Island Advance
 AP File Photo |
STATEN ISLAND, NY — FDNY paramedic ambulances in Staten Island and Queens are running dangerously low on several life-saving medications, according to the union that represents the city’s paramedics.
Over the past few weeks, possibly longer, ambulances have had a “thin” supply of Etomidate -- a drug used by FDNY paramedics to sedate patients who need to be intubated -- according to Robert Ungar, a spokesman for the Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics of FDNY.
They’re also running low on nitroglycerin, which is used to treat angina and heart failure, and Cardizem, a heart medication used to stabilize a dangerously fast heartbeat, Ungar said, and paramedics are also having problems stocking sodium-bicarbonate and certain types of hypodermic needles.
Ungar said the shortage appears to be a “supply chain” issue, and is hitting Staten Island and Queens particularly hard.
The FDNY isn’t ordering enough of the drugs to keep them stocked at acceptable levels, Ungar said.
“They’re not keeping enough on hands, and these are very, very critical medications,” he said.
Seth Andrews, an FDNY spokesman, said only, “There are no shortages with regard to running out of medication.”
He wouldn’t comment further.
A paramedic source working on Staten Island told the Advance today that other medications are also running low -- Staten Island paramedics are down to their last couple of bottles of nitroglycerin and haven’t had Cardizem in stock for several months.
“This is a problem,” the source said. “The bottom line is we can’t treat these patients.”