U.S. Navy Conduct First Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course in Yap during Pacific Partnership 2018

MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

03.31.2018

Courtesy Story

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

YAP, Federated States of Micronesia (NNS) – Two U.S. Navy nurses from the Pacific Partnership 2018 medical team conducted the first-certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course at Yap Memorial Hospital in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, 26-27 March.
Cmdr. Chris Jack from Naval Medical Center San Diego and Lt. Cmdr. Joe Pinon from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton conducted American Heart Association (AHA)-certified ACLS courses to twelve nurses from the Yap Memorial Hospital designed to establish a standardized life support program in Yap.
“ACLS provides the skills and training to health care providers to recognize and diagnose patients suffering from cardiac arrest,” said Pinon. “This is extremely important as knowledge and practices shared during these courses regularly saves lives.”
Both Navy nurses also conducted Basic Life Support (BLS) courses on March 22 and 28 to twelve nurses during four classroom sessions lasting sixteen hours that culminated with demonstration of motor skills and written tests. The BLS course serves as an introductory course focused on resuscitation without medication or advanced equipment.
“Currently, there is a lack of standardized or certified BLS or ACLS training in Yap, and for health care providers, being BLS qualified is absolutely important,” said Jack. “We are committed to working side-by-side with medical staff here to develop a robust medical infrastructure that supports this requirement.”
As part of the mission to provide sustainable practices in Yap, the Pacific Partnership medical team continues to focus on establishing recognizable guidelines that assist in developing medical programs that will last well into the future. Currently, nearly 36 BLS-qualified medical professionals reside in Yap through a civilian-led life support program in Guam.
“The goal is to continue sharing our knowledge and experience in life support throughout the medical community in Yap,” said Pinon.
Both nurses are part of a team of more than 35 Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen serving as audiologists, veterinarians, primary care physicians, medical technicians, dentists, dental technicians and nurses from the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.
“We are learning a lot from our medical counterparts here in Yap,” said Jack. “Pacific Partnership 2018 is truly a collaborative and cooperative engagement that builds lasting friendships and lasting memories.”
The U.S. and the Federated States of Micronesia continue a long history of friendship, having participated in the Pacific Partnership mission as host nation for five years with many Micronesia men and women having served or currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Since 2006, 22 partner nations around the globe in 18 host nations have participated in Pacific Partnership providing medical care to more than 300,000 patients, veterinary services to nearly 40,000 animals and completed nearly 200 engineering projects while building meaningful and close partnerships throughout the region.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2018
• Date Posted: 03.30.2018 21:07
• Story ID: 271347
• Location: FM