On the frontline of trauma

VGH Trauma Services is the host team for Trauma 2017, the upcoming Trauma Association of Canada’s annual conference. Delegates will gather at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel February 23 and 24 to learn about advances in care, new technologies and best practices. One of the conference organizers is Dr. Naisan Garraway, trauma surgeon, ICU physician and medical director of the VGH Trauma Program.

“There will be a strong contingent of VCH speakers representing a wide spectrum of disciplines including trauma, critical care and plastic surgery,” says Dr. Garraway. “This year’s theme is dealing with trauma on the frontlines and we’ll have representation from workers across the province from point-of-injury paramedics and rural doctors and nurses, to staff who work in BC’s trauma hubs and those who specialize in rehabilitation.”

VGH critical care physician Dr. Hussein Kanji is one of the speakers. His topic: Paramedic Prehospital Ultrasound in Trauma.

“We’re implementing a new evidence-based curriculum for pre-hospital ultrasound and I’ll be sharing some our initial findings,” he says. “We’re the first group in North America to do this and it will give our paramedics more tools to recognize and manage trauma and help triage patients. It’s a model we hope to see roll out across other jurisdictions and I’m looking forward to sharing some of our early results.”

Dr. Garraway and his fellow organizers have also made an effort to expand the range of speakers beyond physicians. Susan Harrison-Salt, head nurse in VGH’s Emergency Department, along with her colleague Jaime Gallaher, clinical nurse educator, is leading a session on debriefing after trauma resuscitation.

“Critical incident debriefing has evolved over the years and, when done well, brings about positive outcomes for learning, team building and effective communication,” says Susan. “Anyone doing trauma work has to take a critical look at how they manage each situation. It’s important that we learn from every experience if we want longevity in this field.”

While the conference is a chance for our VGH colleagues to shine, those involved are also looking forward to representing their programs and teams on the national stage, and learning from their counterparts across Canada.

To register for Trauma 2017, visit the conference’s website. The early bird deadline is January 31, 2017.