State Investigating Emergency Responders

State regulators are investigating three cases in which emergency medical responders in Los Angeles and Orange counties allegedly failed to provide proper care, according to a state official, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Cesar Aristeiguieta, director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority, said the investigations had just begun and "are going to be fairly complex."

The incidents were included in a Times investigation last month that found a lack of central oversight of the state's 85,000 paramedics and emergency medical technicians (Lopez/Connell, Los Angeles Times, 5/17). The Times uncovered lapses in the state's system for handling disciplinary matters (California Healthline, 5/7).

The cases involve the Santa Ana Fire Department, the Los Angeles city and county fire departments, and a private ambulance company.

None of the cases, which occurred between 2000 and 2005, previously had been investigated by state or regional regulators.

Investigators are determining whether the cases violated state laws governing emergency care.

The accused paramedics and EMTs can be disciplined or lose their credentials, according to the Times (Los Angeles Times, 5/17).