Trauma Nursing Course hosted by Bridges

Nurses from across the region gathered in Ada recently to be certified in the care of trauma patients.  The Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) was hosted by Bridges Medical Center in cooperation with Northwest EMS. This was the first of a series of advanced training courses that will be offered either free or at a greatly reduced charge thanks to a Minnesota Department of Health grant obtained by Bridges.

“We have a commitment to maximizing the level of care available to patients who live outside of the larger population centers,” said Bridges CEO Dan Rohrbach.  “Hosting a regional educational event like this provides more than training for individuals, it fosters networking and cooperation. It’s all about patient care.”

TNCC is recognized as one of the leading courses in the care of patients who have suffered major injuries threatening life or quality of life. “Even though seriously injured patients are often transferred to Level I or Level II Trauma Centers, their outcome, or even their survival often depends on the care they receive at the local level,” said Bridges Director of Nursing, Steve Spaeth, who took the course alongside members of his own nursing staff, and those from other facilities in northwestern Minnesota. “The fact is that we don’t live 10 minutes away from a Level I trauma center so many seriously injured patients are going to need stabilizing treatment in the local emergency room if they are going to make it.”

TNCC teaches rapid evaluation of the trauma patient. As threats to the patient are identified, nursing staff and other medical personnel determine the order and priority of treatments and provide the appropriate interventions.  “We’re not talking sprained ankles here,” said Spaeth. “We’re looking at patients who can have multiple life-threatening injuries.  TNCC provides a systematic approach to the care of these patients and gives our nurses a chance to learn and practice the skills they’ll need.”

Protecting a patient’s airway, controlling bleeding, spinal immobilization, and burn care are just a few of the topics covered in two days of intensive training.  About half of the time was spent in class at the Ada-Borup High School auditorium, with the remainder of the time spent practicing hands-on skills at Bridges.

 The evening after the first day of class, a separate trauma program was provided by Norman County Emergency Medical Services for the benefit of surrounding rescue and first response squads, law enforcement, and fire departments. “We call it the continuum of care,” said EMS Training Officer and Parmedic Jane Halvorson. “There has to be a smooth and coordinated effort from the moment we make contact with the patient through to their discharge from the hospital. We each have our roles, but we all work together.”

Another regional medical course, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is planned for July and will be open to physicians, nurses, and paramedics who will prepare to meet the special needs of children and infants who are critically ill or injured.