Espanola, ON — Most people will never see the training that takes place behind the scenes in an emergency department. They see the care when they arrive. What they don't see are the hours spent learning, practising, and working through scenarios as a team before an emergency ever happens.
Over the past several months, we have been working to increase Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification among our emergency department staff. ACLS training supports healthcare providers in recognizing and managing cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies, with a focus on clinical decision-making, communication, and coordinated team response.
Today, 81 per cent of our emergency department staff are current and competent in ACLS certification. To support continued growth, we have been offering the training locally, making it easier for staff to access advanced education while helping ensure the program remains sustainable for years to come.
A key part of that work has been building local capacity through instructor development. Recently, Dr. Bignucolo, our clinical educator Teal Patchett, and our Emergency Department and Acute Care Manager Michelle Parker completed the extensive training and evaluation required to become certified ACLS instructors. Since May, two courses have been delivered locally, with 10 healthcare professionals completing the program.
Training doesn't stop with certification. Using our simulation lab, staff regularly work through realistic emergency scenarios that allow them to practise skills such as CPR, rhythm recognition, medication administration, defibrillation, and post-cardiac arrest care. Just as importantly, these sessions give teams an opportunity to practise working together, communicating clearly, and understanding their roles during a crisis.
The simulation lab and equipment used for this training were made possible through the generosity of donors to the Foundation. Community support continues to play an important role in helping us provide advanced education opportunities and ensure staff have access to the tools they need to maintain their skills.
We will continue offering ACLS provider and renewal courses locally as part of our ongoing commitment to education, quality care, and maintaining a strong emergency department team. While this work often happens out of sight, it helps ensure our staff are ready when patients need them most.