Not long ago Jennifer Graveline, an active 61-year-old, had a massive heart attack. Her heart stopped. The fire department, first to arrive, restarted her heart with a defibrillator. In the ambulance, her heart stopped again. Paramedics saved her the second time.
In the emergency room at North Bay and District Hospital (NBDH) she received leading-edge treatment where her body was deep-cooled to protect her brain and vital organs. The next day when she began to respond to her anxious family, the Critical Care Unit team warmed her body back to its normal temperature.
She was transferred to Sudbury by helicopter for observation and treatment. Today, Jennifer has regained her strength. “I’m grateful each day that Jennifer continues to live a full life with me” says her husband, Jacques.
This is a remarkable but not an isolated story. Every four hours last year our emergency team moved into action to assess and treat patients with complaints of chest pain.
Heart attack and stroke devastate the lives of patients and those who love them. Each year more than 75,000 Canadians die from stroke and heart disease, and many more live with its effects. Astonishingly, the rate of cardiovascular disease is 50% higher in northern Ontario than in other areas of the province.
Saving lives in the Emergency Department and diagnosing medical complications that lead to heart attack and stroke is part of the hospital’s district role. NBRHC-DH is recognized as a leader and a centre of excellence in that role.
Today there are many new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart attack and stroke: techniques that help patients like Jennifer. We must continually upgrade our equipment, technology, skills and knowledge to ensure that the people of North Bay and district continue to receive the very best care.
Among our community’s urgent needs are upgraded cardiac monitors for the Emergency Department. Advanced diagnostic equipment enables fast assessment of the patient’s condition and quickly determines the best action to save lives.