Doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists from across Northern British Columbia recently came together to learn how to better care for seriously ill children. This special training, called the Stabilization Essentials in Pediatrics (StEP) course, took place at the new education centre at Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace this spring.
The StEP course began in 2023 as part of the Provincial Pediatric Critical Care Project led by BC Children’s Hospital and Child Health BC. The goal was to help health care workers in smaller communities gain important skills to care for sick children, especially those who need to be transferred to bigger hospitals for treatment.
During the two-day training, experts from BC Children’s Hospital and Victoria General Hospital provide lectures and hands-on practice sessions. Health care workers practiced treating children in high-tech simulations that help them prepare for real-life emergencies.
The StEP course was first held in Prince George in June 2023. Thanks to teamwork between Northern Health, BC Children’s Hospital, and Child Health BC, and generous support from BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the program was able to expand its reach to health care providers in Northwest BC.
Doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists from Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Hazelton, Smithers, Fort St. John, and Prince George took part in the course. The program helps ensure that children in rural areas receive high quality care when they need it most.
The success of the StEP course highlights how crucial ongoing education and collaboration are in advancing health care. As the program continues to grow, it aims to continue improving health care for children in communities throughout British Columbia.
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