Advanced paramedics in the Saguenay region would like more use of their knowledge to help relieve the health network a few months after being trained to do more during their interventions.
• Also read: Paramedics decry poor coverage
Ambulance services have been the subject of numerous discussions this week in Quebec. Could a permanent deployment of advanced paramedics make a difference?
“These people are able to carry out actions that are delegated to them in an emergency situation where usually only doctors can carry them out,” explained Érick Tremblay, regional director of operations for the Cooperative of Ambulance Technicians of Quebec (CTAQ ).
“We do advanced resuscitation [et] we have more intravenous and interosseous techniques,” said advanced paramedic Carl Simard.
“It can make the difference between life and death on certain occasions,” said Mr. Tremblay.
CIUSSS recently reached out to these paramedics on December 24 when the intensive care unit at Dolbeau-Mistassini Hospital closed. Their reinforcement was also of great use.
“Our mission was that as soon as there were unstable patients, we transferred them with the paramedics in primary care to relieve the system. Then, when there were two of us in advanced care in the vehicle, the other paramedic stayed in Dolbeau and helped cover the sectors under vehicle discoveries He had to do home assessments,” described Carl Simard.
“This is the first time we have received such inquiries. Advanced paramedics are a new service offering in the region. We have to admit that it was really beneficial for the people of that sector,” the DG continued.
A minimum of two years experience as a primary care physician is required before you qualify for training.
This is a two-year major given at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal.
But recently, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is one of the few regions that offers training.
“We have been providing advanced paramedic courses for about a year and a half in the region. CTAQ has been an agent for internships with Ambulance Médilac officially since last November,” said Mr Tremblay.
“The more it goes, the more we’re able to be self-sufficient here with the same programs as in Montreal, the same exams, the same courses, but at a distance, and internships and internships take place here,” added Mr. Simard..
Five advanced paramedics have been trained to date. Next spring they will double.
“We couldn’t have imagined, some time ago, that there would be a deployment of advanced care paramedics off the island of Montreal. It’s funny because where we’ve always said it would be most beneficial is in the regions, because the distances to the hospitals are a little longer. We are starting to see them in the region, and I dare to hope that we will see more and more of them over time,” says the regional director of CTAQ.
CIUSSS states that the Ministry of Health allows them to be used as support, but that their practice is not systematically integrated into the regional operations.
“We would greatly appreciate eventually having a deployment that would be permanent. I know we mustn’t skip the steps. At the moment, advanced paramedics are showing that the need is there and that the machine is fully effective, ” Mr. Tremblay concluded.
Your article helped me a lot, thanks for the information. I also like your blog theme, can you tell me how you did it?