RANKIN INLET - A total of 11 Kivalliq doctors and nurses completed an advanced cardiac life support course in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

Debbie Anderson of Whale Cove practices airway management during a special course held for health professionals in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Penny Triggs

The three-day program helps to ensure Kivalliq residents have access to the most up-to-date care for acute heart emergencies.

Vice-president of air medical operations for Keewatin Air-Kivalliq Air Penny Triggs said the course is known worldwide as the gold standard in the care of patients with serious heart disorders.

She said the International Emergency Cardiac Care Community recommended changes to the management of patients with emergent heart disorders in 2006.

"The guidelines for providing basic and advanced life-support measures were revised and, late last year and early this year, instructors were taught the newest emergency heart care management techniques," said Triggs.

"But how would that information be transmitted to the North to allow people to have access to the latest treatment strategies?

"That's always a dilemma when there are changes to the treatment of patients in any particular specialty area of medicine."

Keewatin Air-Kivalliq Air stepped up and began to fly CPR instructors into Kivalliq communities to teach the newest CPR techniques to health centre nurses and support staff.

The airline also donated CPR books and adult-and-infant manikins for staff members to practise the life-saving processes.

The airline then flew Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) instructors and health professionals from across the Kivalliq into Rankin earlier this month for the ACLS course.

The course included a review of CPR, automated external defibrillator systems, identification and management of acute heart attack and stroke victims, major cardiac emergencies and management of cardiac arrest (when the heart stops). Triggs said nurses and physicians were able to practise the techniques of defibrillation and use of the external pacemaker in a simulated environment to prepare for use on patients suffering heart emergencies.

She said many of the nurses who attended will be able to apply the new practices in their own community.

"Our airline has been instrumental in providing training to Kivalliq health centre staff members for many years, including CPR, first aid, advanced life support courses in trauma, care of seriously ill children and victims of heart emergencies.

"The courses are provided free of charge and help Kivalliq doctors and nurses stay up-to-date on the most current medical treatment strategies.

"We're committed to providing the best care to patients in the region through direct-care delivery during medevac, and bringing advanced patient care knowledge and skills to regional health care providers."