<  / Stories

Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation receives $25,000 grant

SHARE THIS PAGE

Group of people stand around mannequins used for first aide training.
From left to right: Alain LeFebvre, President Prince George Community Foundation; Darlene Fjellgaard, Clinical Nurse Educator; Michael Lundin, Regional Manager Clinical Simulation Education; Mindy Stroet, Director of Development Prince George Community Foundation; Judy Neiser, CEO Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation was recently the recipient of a one-time grant of $25,000, made available through the Prince George Community Foundation and donor Selen Alpay of Canadian Tire, in honour of the Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary. Spirit of the North and the Northern Clinical Simulation program submitted a collaborative application for the grant to focus on purchasing basic life support equipment to educate community and healthcare professionals, with the goal of improving emergency care in the North.  

The grant allowed the Northern Clinical Simulation program to purchase three basic life support training kits to support the Northern Health region. Each kit consists of four adult mannequins (torso only), four youth mannequins (torso only), four infant mannequins (whole body), and one full body mannequin for head to toe assessments. Each set also includes two automated external defibrillator (AED) trainers.

“These mannequins ensure we are providing the highest standard of care in the North,” says Darlene Fjellgaard, Clinical Nurse Educator.

Unlike previous models, these mannequins are equipped with the latest feedback technology, allowing real-time data to evaluate the overall quality of care provided in the moment. For example, it can tell if you are pushing down hard enough during chest compressions (depth) or if you have filled the lungs with enough air when providing ventilation through a pocket mask or bag valve mask.

This live feedback is helpful for both participants and instructors – evidence has shown that effective, real-time feedback devices can lead to improved patient outcomes

The participant can view on the device as they are performing compressions and/or breaths and are able to self-correct. Instructors can view the feedback on a phone/tablet for one or all participants in the class, allowing them to identify who needs further instruction. This makes the time in class much more valuable for both the instructor and participant.

On behalf of Northern Health, we are grateful that the Prince George Community Foundation placed such importance on Northern healthcare and effective training when awarding this grant. It truly is a win-win for both education and healthcare, and above all else, better patient outcomes throughout the region.