Victorian Ambo’s recieve meningococcal antibiotics

VICTORIAN paramedics have been equipped with a new tool to help them combat suspected cases of the potentially fatal meningococcal disease.

VICTORIAN paramedics have been equipped with a new tool to help them combat suspected cases of the potentially fatal meningococcal disease.Rural Ambulance Victoria senior clinician Tony Walker said the early administration of antibiotics to suspected cases of meningococcal septicaemia had been shown to reduce the death rate, particularly in patients who had developed a rash. He said until now suspected meningococcal patients had to wait until they arrived at hospital to receive the antibiotic treatment. “Ambulance paramedics are now trained and authorised to administer the antibiotic Ceftriaxone by injection in cases of suspected meningococcal disease,” Mr Walker said. He said the development was particularly important in country areas where long distances to hospital meant patients wait for the antibiotic treatment could be lengthy. (Source: News Limited Australia, Feb 2004)