(Submitted Photo: Parkland Ambulance Service)

By paNOW Staff

ICE

Parkland Ambulance unveils new initiative for paramedics to access medical information

Jul 20, 2023 | 9:50 AM

Paramedics in Prince Albert have a new tool to help their patients thanks to help from Lake Country Co-op.

The two organizations have partnered to offer ICE pouches to city residents free of charge. ICE stands for in case of emergency and Lyle Karasiuk from Parkland Ambulance said a similar program used to run in Nova Scotia years ago.

“A project that was done by the Victoria Order of Nurses way out in Antigonish, Nova Scotia called the Vial of Life. That project has long since stopped.”

The Vial of Life is a kit that contains important medical details such as history, medication, and allergies. Karasiuk said that paramedics have often run into situations where this information is not readily available.

“Over time our paramedics started to run into people who for medical reasons or maybe a family member who couldn’t speak a given language or sometimes people who live alone and their condition just doesn’t allow for us to get the right information couldn’t give our paramedics really simple information.”

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Because of this, Parkland Ambulance wanted to change that, so the idea of the ICE pouches came into being.

“I think it’s important that people have this information readily accessible,” said Karasiuk. “It will help not only our paramedics but the doctors in the hospital as well so that we can provide the basic treatment that you need in your emergency.”

The pouches are available at the Parkland Ambulance office at 225 24th Street West and at Co-op Pharmacies in Cornerstone and 108 8th St E.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow