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 Medical Program Keewatin Air / Nunavut Lifeline’s (KAL/NL) air medical program has long been recognized as one of Canada’s best, with over 8000 successful patient transports completed. With over 35 years of operation in the challenging environment of the Canadian arctic, we have an unparalleled background and experience in air medical transport. KAL has developed the infrastructure required to support the operation of an advanced care program in remote northern Canada. Our state of the art hangar facilities in both Rankin Inlet and Churchill have been built to support 24 hour per day arctic air medical operations. Our aircraft interiors have been specifically designed “in house” for functionality, safety and optimal care provision. The aircraft are staffed around the clock, to provide air medical services for those who become ill or injured in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut and in northern Manitoba. Comprehensive policies, procedures and protocols are in place to provide the flight nurses with the guidance required to practice independently, as indicated. Should the patient require care normally authorized by a physician, the flight nurse can refer to a protocol manual and provide the required care, based on standing orders from the medical director. The aircraft are all equipped with state of the art medical equipment, supplies and medications to support the advanced level of care provided. This includes some medical equipment, supplies and medications presently not available in the health centers in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, allowing us to offer care not available in the community. All air medical team members receive extensive initial and ongoing training. There is “cross training” for the nurses and pilots. For the flight nurses, this includes ground school and safety training, increasing their understanding of the challenges of flying in the arctic. For pilots, it includes flight physiology and techniques to minimize the impact of the flight on the patient’s condition. In addition, pilots receive CPR and First Aid training. This builds a strong “team” and promotes a unified approach to the patient transport. Total Quality Management (TQM) To guarantee that the patient transport is optimal, each patient record is audited. Should discrepancies be identified, appropriate action is taken. A detailed statistics program is maintained, allowing for comprehensive data collection and analysis. In addition, external review is welcomed, through our Medical Nursing Committee, which was formed in 1993. Physician representation from the University of Manitoba’s J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit and nursing representation from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health and Social Services and the Churchill Regional Health Authority attend the meetings, reviewing policies, procedures, protocols, equipment and supply lists, and transport statistics. This external review provides NL/KAL with input that is invaluable in the continuous improvement of our air medical service. The People The VP of our Air Medical Operation is Penny Triggs, a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of nursing experience, including Intensive Care nursing and critical care flight nursing. Ms. Triggs began her flight nursing career with the Manitoba Government Air Ambulance Service in 1987 and after six years in the government air medical program, joined KAL/NL in 1993. She has been instrumental in the development of a professional quality oriented program. Karen Hamilton, an experienced critical care nurse and manager, joined the team in 2000, as Nurse Manager. Dr. Maier, Ms. Triggs and Mrs. Hamilton manage the air medical program, ensuring the maintenance of the highest possible standards of patient care. The core of the Air Medical Program are the flight nurses. Each Flight Nurse is a registered nurse, with emergency or intensive care experience. Most have remote or rural nursing experience as well. Our comprehensive initial training includes 7-10 days in the classroom reviewing the knowledge and skills required to function effectively as a flight nurse in a remote setting, such as Nunavut. This includes an orientation to the operation, including our policies and procedures, a review of adult, pediatric and neonatal emergency and trauma care, a review of obstetrical emergencies, and a course on air medical transport. All nurses are qualified with the following:
Recurrent training and exams ensure competency in delegated medical procedures, including airway management, defibrillation and cardioversion, external pacing, needle decompression of the chest, intraosseous infusion and umbilical venous catheterization. Access to medical specialists, such as physicians and midwives, helps ensure that Nunavut Lifeline / KAL is able to meet the needs of patients of all ages and severity of illness / injury. The pilots who fly our “medevac” aircraft are skilled and experienced in remote operations. In addition to their aviation expertise, they are specialists in air medical transport, functioning as a part of the team with the flight nurse. Contact Information: Office Contact Information: ph: 204-888-0100 Fax: 204-888-3300 Penny Triggs – VP Air Medical Operations ptriggs@keewatinair.ca Karen Hamilton – Nurse Manager khamilton@keewatinair.ca Dr. Ron Maier - Contact via P. Triggs
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