MOOSE JAW — During Canadian Patient Safety Week, two paramedics from the Medavie Health Services West (MHSW) Mobile Integrated Health Program in Moose Jaw were recognized as leaders in patient safety advocacy this fall.
Stephan Engler was nominated alongside Jim Madden and works as a primary care paramedic at MHSW in Moose Jaw.
“I was a little bit surprised, and also kind of happy to be recognized,” Engler said when asked about his initial reaction to being nominated.
There are two common types of paramedics: primary care paramedics and community paramedics. Engler’s colleague, Madden, is a community paramedic, but Engler himself is a primary care paramedic. The main difference between these roles comes down to training and the situations each specialized individual responds to.
“So, we’re more (on the) front line for emergencies,” Engler explained. “We would be called to any of those 911 calls for falls, injuries, or anything like that.”
Community paramedics, by comparison, focus their efforts on collaborating with other local agencies to prevent hospital visits and to address gaps in the health care system.
Engler emphasized that paramedics play a critical role in patient safety by not only providing immediate care, but also by assessing the patient’s living environment for valuable insights. Through this assessment, paramedics can suggest safety improvements — such as home care services or emergency care referrals — to better ensure patient safety and well-being at home.
Additionally, primary care paramedics advocate for patients at the hospital to ensure they receive the necessary care.
Engler’s paramedicine career began when he was still in high school and had developed an interest in the field of health care. His journey was originally inspired by his mother who worked as a nurse.
“After I graduated from high school I just tried a few different things, and then tried out emergency medical services (EMS),” he said. “I just really fell in love with it and continued on.”
Engler thoroughly enjoys the day-to-day variety offered by his career and appreciates that no two days are exactly the same. The most rewarding aspect of his job, however, is the opportunity to help individuals in their time of greatest need.
“(For me, the most rewarding part is) just being able to help people out and get them to the help that they need and deserve,” he said.
This quality of service and attention to each patient’s individual safety needs is a part of Engler’s personal philosophy and is present on each call he takes.
“I just do what’s best and safest for the patient in the environment that we’re in,” he shared. It was because of this overall approach to safety that Engler was nominated by his peers.
Engler expressed his gratitude for those who nominated him and is appreciative for the recognition from his colleagues at MHSW Moose Jaw. He’s also thankful for this recognition from the community and each one of the various agencies he collaborates with including the Moose Jaw Police Service and Moose Jaw Fire Department.
While it’s always best not to require his services, the community is undoubtedly safer with dedicated paramedics like Engler on standby to help when needed.
Medavie Health Services West is located at 781 High Street West in Moose Jaw.
