An audit conducted on the Ottawa Paramedic Service revealed that paramedics encounter widespread violence, yet many incidents go unreported due to concerns about the seriousness of the response. The survey, administered by the city Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon, gathered responses from over 450 active paramedics, with 128 participants sharing their experiences in June. Every respondent disclosed experiencing violence while on duty, with 37% facing violence or threats on a monthly basis and 21% encountering such incidents weekly.
According to Gougeon’s findings, the spectrum of violence experienced by paramedics ranges from threats to physical assaults like spitting and hitting. Chief Pierre Poirier acknowledged that these incidents are distressingly common, with some paramedics sustaining significant injuries. Shockingly, 82% of respondents admitted to not reporting incidents of violence they encountered.
Paramedics cited various reasons for not reporting violence, including the perception that it’s an inherent part of their job, the belief that minor or verbal violence doesn’t warrant reporting, and a lack of visible action or follow-up from the Ottawa Police Service. Gougeon’s audit highlighted unclear expectations for reporting violence and identified time-consuming follow-up procedures leading to a backlog of incidents, potentially impacting employee morale and exposing the city to legal risks.
In response to the audit, Ottawa Paramedic Service management accepted the recommendation to clarify reporting expectations and commit to actions that paramedics can anticipate. Poirier emphasized the need to address the pervasive issue of violence against paramedics, implementing internal processes for documenting, escalating, and involving law enforcement. The cultural barriers hindering reporting were recognized as a longstanding challenge, with efforts underway to shift this norm.
Additionally, the audit revealed deficiencies in the management of controlled substances within the Ottawa Paramedic Service. Paramedics are authorized to carry and administer controlled drugs, but the report identified lapses in oversight, missing documentation, poor access controls, and weak inventory management. Gougeon recommended a review and update of policies, emphasizing the importance of conducting regular audits and enhancing documentation practices to mitigate the risks of theft, misuse, and non-compliance.
Despite the identified gaps, Poirier clarified that there were no documented incidents of misuse or loss. He acknowledged the need for improvement in existing processes to enhance accountability and ensure the safe handling of controlled substances within the service.