Marathon Medical - A System within a System

Date: May 11th, 2007

Author: Robyn McIsaac

Marathon Medical - A System within a System

When runners of all levels will take over the streets of Halifax for the Blue Nose International Marathon, Emergency Health Services (EHS) paramedics will be part of a team of close to 100 professional medical volunteers on-hand to provide assessment, treatment and transport for medical problems or injuries that may occur.

"Providing the safest, most challenging and energizing marathon is our main goal. The support from EHS is vital to the Blue Nose Marathon," Said Gerry Walsh, Event Co-chair. "We are so grateful for the superior service they provide year after year."

The main goal for EHS is to respond to the medical needs of runners.  Injuries most often experienced during marathons include soft tissue damage, joint injuries, over or under hydration and exhaustion.  Each year there are over 50 medically-related incidents treated at the start / finish line medical tent.  Some of these runners need follow up treatment and are transported to local emergency departments.

Regardless of the marathon, EHS will continue to respond as normal to all calls for paramedic treatment and ambulance transport in Halifax and province-wide.

EHS efficiently manages operations throughout Nova Scotia with the coordination of System resources based on historical call volumes.  This System Status Plan is reactive to large-scale events and multiple casualty incidents by allocating paramedic teams to respond to patients while maintaining coverage in neighbouring communities.

Over 50 per cent of the medical volunteers return to participate annually.  William Hill, Central Regional Manager for EHS says, "This marathon affords the EHS system the opportunity to support our community in terms of promoting wellness and illness / injury prevention. It further represents a refreshing parallel to our reactionary role in responding to 9-1-1 emergencies."

The Emergency Health Service team is crucial to the operations of the Blue Nose Marathon.  The support and dedication EHS provides is much appreciated. The organization, efficiency and superior service helps runners achieve personal goals and mark milestones year after year.

Contact:

Robyn McIsaac

457-6339 or 441-1995