In an emergency seconds matter. And Catalina Island Medical Center is doing everything it can to make sure those seconds have as much life-saving value as possible.

Training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support allow CIMC's nurses to use those seconds to administer drugs, intubate patients and conduct other life-saving procedures. "PALS and ACLS training allow nurses to initiate care," said Director of Nurses Doreen Macktal, "They don't have to wait for the doctor to arrive in the emergency room to begin saving lives."

All CIMC nurses are required to receive this advanced training, which begins as a two-day course and is offered as a refresher each year. CIMC nurses received their PALS training refresher course Feb. 12.

According to Macktal, the advanced training also has other benefits. "It really encourages critical thinking," she said. "It makes the whole team function at a higher level."

Funding for the training was provided by the Catalina Island Medical Center Foundation. "Without their support we would have been unable to provide this crucial training," said CIMC Administrator Bill Greene.

For more information visit www.CatalinaIslandMedicalCenter.org