New Brunswick spending $2.5 million on ‘clot-busters’ for paramedics

New Brunswick paramedics have received “clot busters” for patients.

The New Brunswick government is spending up to $2.5 million on medications paramedics can use to break down blood clots and restore blood flow to the heart.

Thrombolytics, also known as “clot-busters,” can minimize damage and in some cases stop a heart attack. Ambulance New Brunswick will start using these medications this summer, according to a new release from the provincial government.

“Equipping paramedics with these life-saving medications means people experiencing an emergency can start receiving treatment sooner, when every minute matters most,” said Premier Susan Holt in the release.

Holt said thrombolytics were on her radar when she was leader of the Official Opposition.

“We thought this makes sense, it’s something that should get done,” said Holt. “When we formed government, we put it right into our next budget and started the process of developing the guidelines, making sure we had clear processes for how this would be deployed.”

The $2.5 million will cover the initial purchase of the thrombolytics and an ongoing replenishment of them in this fiscal year. It also covers any necessary technological upgrades.

“Putting thrombolytics into the hands of New Brunswick paramedics allows the health-care system to have a greater impact on patient outcomes,” said Eric Grant, president of the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick, in the release. “This announcement recognizes what paramedics already know: when you put these types of solutions closer to the patient, the entire health-care system becomes stronger.”

Derek Cassista, deputy registrar with the Paramedic Association, said the ability to administer thrombolytics could prove beneficial for recruitment and retention within the profession.

“Paramedics tell us they want to do more in health care,” said Cassista. “They want more opportunities to help out our system. When we give paramedics more opportunity, then we will see them want to stay in their careers longer.

“The average lifespan of a career in New Brunswick for a paramedic is about eight years, which is not a long time.”

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