Aviation News Item: 02179

20th Oct 2009

Source: verticalmag.com

Learners from across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and as far away as Newfoundland were put to the test this week through the intensive STARS Critical Care and Transport Medicine Academy (CCTMA).

The learners took part in the residency phase of the STARS CCTMA program, which sees participants working alongside STARS crews on real-life missions throughout Alberta. The STARS CCTMA is a 16-week program where mid-career level emergency medical professionals experience online learning, a one-week residency at a STARS base, human patient simulators and a 36-hour practicum.

The ultimate goal of the program is to enhance the development of educational standards in the field of critical care and transport medicine to ensure patient care needs are met at the highest level.

"Picture caring for a patient while on a carnival ride," says Brian Carriere, course facilitator, of providing intensive care inside a helicopter. Experiencing the activities of which the Academy is comprised gives participants confidence in dealing with complex emergencies, while also increasing their ability to work together and advocate for their patients' needs. "It's about moving from a reactive emergency medical transport model to a proactive model," says Carriere.

The STARS CCTMA is led by experienced STARS crew members including paramedics, nurses and emergency physicians, as well as external faculty members. It culminates with a two-day, physician directed skills assessment prior to achieving certificates of completion.

"I enjoyed the lecture mornings and then simulation in the afternoon with emergency room doctors that you could 'fire off' questions that were happening right in front of you," says Academy graduate and current Calgary EMS flight paramedic Kelly Rairdan. "Sometimes having a doctor give you a scenario can be intimidating, but after a few scenarios under your belt, I felt I could relax and get the most out of the learning situation."

Nurses used to operating in a controlled medical facility, with all resources immediately accessible, are thrown into an environment where there is a limited ability to hear and see. Paramedics experienced in critical care at the scene of an emergency see their abilities stretched by longer transport times typical of emergency air transportation.

"When you look at students faces going through the human patient simulation they are slightly frightened - and that's the point," says Carriere. "They are under real stress, because you have a simulated situation where if you do the wrong thing your patient will get worse and may not survive."

Participants experience a wide variety of team dynamics through simulation classes where they master problem solving and consensus building. "They learn to discuss more pertinent findings, in a more articulate way and learn to work in a more collegial manner," says Carriere.

The helicopter ride-a-longs can be equally demanding as learners work alongside a STARS crew during real missions. "Vibration, noise, and temperature extremes can make dealing with a medical or trauma related emergency even more challenging," says Carriere of providing intensive care inside a helicopter.

The next STARS CCTMA class begins March 15, 2010, and the application deadline is November 22, 2009. Emergency medical professionals who would like more information can contact Jaci Lyndon, Manager,THE STARS CENTRE, at 403-516-4814 orjlyndon@stars.ca. Or visit<A href_iwe=">www.stars.cafor more information or to fill out an application form.

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