More firsts in neurocritical care

Life-threatening brain disorders make up 20% of Calgary and Southern Alberta’s intensive care unit (ICU) admissions—more than 900 patients annually. The lives of healthy, active people can change in an instant as a result of an unexpected brain emergency.

Medical teams that focus on neurocritical care treat patients with life-threatening injuries or disorders of the nervous system. Calgary is a leader when it comes to neurocritical care. Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is a sudden violent blow to the head causing coma. Calgary’s TBI protocol, or way of addressing this serious and life-threatening condition, is informing care in other intensive care units across our province.

Investing in the health of those dealing with a brain emergency is critical. That’s why, with the help of donors, Calgary Health Foundation has supported Dr. Julie Kromm—a local neurocritical care specialist—and her team’s work, the Neurocritical Care Expansion Project.  

This project will provide Calgarians and Southern/Central Albertans with better access to advanced, personalized neurocritical care and research, focusing not only on improving their chances of survival but also their quality of life.

There are three main components to this work:

1. Improving clinical care by increasing access to personalized world-class neurocritical care throughout Calgary and Southern Alberta.
2. Expanding research to enhance and guide precision healthcare for patients with neurological injuries.
3. Educating front-line healthcare workers to extend the reach of neurocritical care.

“Life-threatening neurological disorders do not discriminate and can affect any one at any time. Our patients range from 15 to 92 years old, with 75% of them aged 65 or less. Approximately 55% are male and 45% female. Our team is committed to helping all adult patients with life-threatening neurological disorders regardless of their age, gender, race, education, income, address, or beliefs. All patients in need deserve comprehensive, evidence-guided, precision neurocritical care.”
– Dr. Kromm

Improving clinical care

Improving clinical care means ensuring all patients with life-threatening neurological disorders receive the best possible care at the right time and in the right place.

Having the right equipment is key to ensuring patients receive the best care possible. With Calgary Health Foundation’s support, Dr. Kromm’s team has purchased a state-of-the-art transcranial doppler ultrasound robot, which is being used to screen patients for a variety of complications that can occur after an acute brain injury. This helps determine which patients require further testing and guides patient management. The team has also purchased another specialized ultrasound machine that is being used to guide essential lifesaving procedures.

Expanding research

The research pillar of this project will help the neurocritical care team learn more about brain disorders, so they can provide better care for patients with neurologic injuries.

Patients admitted to Foothills Medical Centre’s ICU who qualified were given the opportunity to participate in one of several research studies which will inform neurocritical care worldwide. In addition to the local research, the program has remained highly involved in several national research studies, as well as two large international neurocritical care trials.

Educating front-line healthcare workers

The education pillar of this project will advance the reach of neurocritical care expertise by educating front-line healthcare workers, through means such as a neurocritical care fellowship program. Physicians taking part in this program specialize in neurocritical care through in-depth training and hands-on experience. The result is highly skilled and knowledgeable specialists who can provide expert care and contribute to advancements within the field of neurocritical care. The inception of the fellowship program has also facilitated more in-person neurocritical care consultations at all adult ICUs in Calgary.

“We have been asked to share the curriculum that forms the foundation for our neurocritical care fellowship training program with other teams across Canada to help inform the creation of their neurocritical care training programs. Nationally, Calgary is a leader in this field. We want to be known for this work on the international stage as well, and through donations to projects such as this, we can get there.”
– Dr. Kromm

Your donation makes a difference

After their initial brain injuries, patients with life-threatening neurological disorders must battle a cascade of changes within their brains and bodies that often can contribute to worsening injury. That’s why investing in this work is so important.

Your donations enable us to provide state-of the art care, conduct research that will transform neurocritical care worldwide, and train the next generation of specialists. Neurocritical care is the first link in the chain of survival and recovery for patients with life-threatening neurological disorders. Strengthening this link through your donations helps us save lives and gets more patients back home.

With the support of Calgary Health Foundation and its generous donors, Dr. Kromm’s neurocritical care team has been able to help over 500 patients with life-threatening neurological disorders over the past year. This has included patients suffering from cardiac arrest, neurological trauma (traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries), neurovascular disorders (including stroke, intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage), seizures, and more.

Life-threatening brain disorders can happen to anyone at any time. By donating to Calgary Health Foundation, you are supporting patients and their loved ones through the worst times in their lives and giving them a second chance. More advancements, more breakthroughs, and more firsts for neurocritical health add up to better lives for patients.