Heart disease is the second leading cause of death after cancer in Canada, and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization with an estimated 35,000 cardiac arrests occurring in Canada each year. Many patients unfortunately do not survive a heart attack, but studies have shown that survival rates double if CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and defibrillation occur during the initial crucial moments of the emergency.

Last year, EMS teams in southern Saskatchewan traveled over 780,000 km, bringing more than 10,000 patients to Regina General Hospital, many in need of cardiac care. High quality CPR provided by EMS teams, with minimal interruptions and early defibrillation, are critical to good cardiac resuscitation outcomes. However, CPR is a physically demanding activity and paramedics must exchange positions every two minutes to ensure consistent chest compressions and to reduce potential injuries to themselves.

Last year, Hospitals of Regina Foundation invested $85,000 , including a generous $25,000 from CP Rail, in five LUCAS chest compression systems for our EMS teams. This technology allows our paramedics to provide consistent high quality CPR and gives them the ability to defibrillate a patient while the device is providing the chest compressions. This helps reduce the interruptions to CPR and ensures the patient receives the cardiac care they need to survive the journey to our hospital.

“The Foundation is grateful for Canadian Pacific’s generous gift of $25,000, and all cardiac donations from our donors in support of this life saving technology,” says Dino Sophocleous, president and CEO, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “Partners like CP help the Foundation invest in the technology our EMS teams need to provide the best care possible for our southern Saskatchewan community.”