To err is human, to forgive … I have
been very human today and I apologize for what sounded flippant to you. The article was forwarded by a
friend. I had not seen it. I was responding to him. I had no idea that he had forwarded the “flight
web” to me. My statement was
a statement of mourning—of missing the “old days.” Back in 1989 I took the FNATC
class. An instructor came from UC
Davis. She was fantastic. I learned a lot. And I admired UC Davis because of her
and because of the experiences she shared.
I hated hearing how UC Davis had to endure this cut. I almost typed “flowers”
today instead of “weeds” but flowers didn’t express how
rapidly things were changing and it was a comment to a friend that knows me
well. I apologize for a poor choice
of words. I meant no malice. What it
was supposed to be a quick thanks to a friend may have offended many. I am well aware of the need to change to
survive—we’ve done our share.
But it’s hard not to think fondly about the “good old days.” And let me hasten to say, that does not
mean I am unhappy with present or dreading the future. Again, please accept my apologies. Ruby
-----Original Message-----
From:
flightmed-admin@flightweb.com [mailto:flightmed-admin@flightweb.com] On Behalf Of Mike Shuken
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 4:12 PM
To: flightmed@flightweb.com
Subject: Re: UC Davis Med Center
To Ground One 'Life Flight' Helicopter
I don't work for UC Davis, but I
feel compelled to respond to your post. I believe your insinuation that
the UC Davis Life Flight program is "falling apart" is
inaccurate. UC Davis currently has two aircraft in service and it is
anticipated that in the near future they will inactivate one of
them. California is facing
an unprecedented budget shortfall ($26 billion dollars - yes, billion with a
"b") that we citizens were just informed about following the
gubernatorial election last November. Aside from the reimbursement issues
that are affecting all medical transport providers, UC Davis is directly
affected by the California
budget deficit. Obviously, it is hoped that sometime in the near
future the second helicopter will be activated again.
I won't presumptuously speak for
others (as you have done so) but I think we all know people who have left
flight programs for a variety of reasons. A chief flight nurse that can
predict a massive budget shortfall two years in advance? Pretty amazing...
(You identify the chief flight nurse as being a "she" when the last
chief flight nurse to leave was a "he". Perhaps you are
thinking of another Life Flight program? Facts should be checked before
posting to this list...)
UC Davis Life Flight has been providing
care to the Sacramento Valley Region for nineteen years. The care they
provide is second to none. The two other air transport competitors in the
area also have a long history of providing quality service to the region - I
would never dream of calling them "weeds".
It is my opinion that nationwide we
are going to see budget issues worsen before they get better. It appears
to me that UC Davis is one of the first providers to see air medical services
cut - or at least the first service to have articles regarding cuts posted to
flightweb. Losing a large number of staffers to lay-offs is traumatic
enough, reading a flippant post such as yours on a national forum is not
helpful. If I have interpreted what you posted incorrectly please
excuse me; the next time you post on such a sensitive subject place
thought before brevity.
Mike Shuken
Paramedic
AMR
Oakland, Calif.
I do not work for UC Davis. My
post reflects my own thoughts and not those of any other individual or
organization.
Find out how you can help!
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 5:56 AM
Subject: RE: UC
Davis Med Center To Ground One 'Life Flight' Helicopter
Thanks Rande. I know the person that used to be the
Chief Flight Nurse there. She left
a couple years ago. Maybe she saw
it coming. Interesting how some of
the old mainstays are falling apart and others are springing up like weeds. Ruby
-----Original Message-----
From: flightmed-admin@flightweb.com
[mailto:flightmed-admin@flightweb.com] On
Behalf Of Nick Nudell
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 7:01 PM
To: Paramedicine@yahoogroups.com;
flightmed@flightweb.com
Subject: UC Davis Med Center To
Ground One 'Life Flight' Helicopter
UC Davis Med Center To Ground One
'Life Flight' Helicopter
Hospital Cites
Budget Restraints
POSTED: 9:53 a.m. PST March 11, 2003
SACRAMENTO,
Calif. -- When an accident happens, victims are sometimes
taken by a medical helicopter called Life Flight, but soon, those air
ambulances may be flying a lot less often.
Citing big budget restraints, the
UC Davis Medical Center in Davis has
announced that they will halt service of one of their Life Flight helicopters.
That move would leave just one chopper in service.
Nurses plan to protest the decision
Tuesday afternoon. They say taking away the helicopter would pose a big threat
to the public.
Copyright
2003 by TheKCRAChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
"Perception is reality" -
Wise Old Paramedic
