KAWARTHA LAKES-The City of Kawartha Lakes has one of the higest rates of Advanced Care Paramedics in the Country according to Chief Keith Kirkpatrick. “We are the leaders.” Kirkpatrick told council members at a special information meeting today. “We are one of the best in Canada”
Today City Council and Kawartha Lakes Paramedics Services honoured two individuals for advancing their education and training to Advanced Care Paramedics. Adam Guppy and David Ansley were recognized for their achievement.
“I would like to congratulate Dave Ansley and Adam Guppy on their completion of a challenging program,” said Keith Kirkpatrick, Paramedics Chief. “Their commitment to serving our citizens at the highest land ambulance paramedic level is to be commended. I would also like to thank their families as this program demands many study hours.”
In 2001, City Council directed and committed our municipality to deliver Advance Care Paramedics (ACPs) service. There are two levels of Paramedics in Ontario, Advanced and Primary. In 2001, 16% of Paramedics in the municipality were advanced Care Paramedics. Today 55% are Advanced Care Paramedics.
“As Paramedics we work hard to provide our residents with an exceptional quality of patient care,” remarked David Ansley, Advanced Care Paramedic. “This additional education affords us the opportunity to provide a larger scope of practice to the community we serve.”
“I have been honoured to be able to serve the people of the City of Kawartha Lakes over the past 10 years as a Primary Care Paramedic,” said Adam Guppy, Advanced Care Paramedic. “I’m thankful to Council and the City for the opportunity to undertake the advanced care training and I’m looking forward to a long future providing care to the people of the City of Kawartha Lakes.”
Primary Care Paramedics (PCP) are the building block or basic caregiver in Ontario’s Paramedic System. These dedicated and well skilled paramedics must complete a two year community college diploma and complete certification to practice by the Ontario Ministry of Health. The scope of practice includes:
- Patient assessment
- Trauma life support
- Professional level CPR
- Manual Defibrillation
- 12 lead EKG interpretation
- I.V. Therapy
- Limited medications to assist with heart attack, low blood sugar, serious allergic reactions, asthma and more
Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) completes a third year (post diploma program) that specializes in more intensive care therapies:
- All the above points for a PCP
- Advanced patient assessment
- Manual defibrillation / cardioversion / external cardiac pacemaker
- Numerous I.V. medications for various medical conditions such as heart attack, seizures, trauma and more
- Advanced airway management
- Pain medications
Similar to PCPs, ACPs must also complete an Ontario Ministry of Health certification process to practice.
