Encana Donates $500,000 for New Pediatric Simulation Lab

CALGARY, April 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Encana Corporation donated $500,000 to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation to help the hospital build the largest pediatric simulation lab in Canada.

Like flight simulation for pilots, patient simulation is crucial in helping health professionals and students build the skills required to excel under pressure during life-and-death medical emergencies involving children. Established in 2005, the hospital's KidSIM^TM team uses sophisticated technology funded by the community to train 3,500 people every year at the hospital and in rural centres across southern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia.

"Encana's generous gift brings us one step closer to building a 4,000-square-foot high-tech simulation centre unlike any other," says Medical Director of the KidSIM^TM Pediatric Simulation Program, Dr. Vincent Grant. "Our goal is to double the number of medical professionals, students and families who will benefit from crucial KidSIM^TM experience."

The KidSIM^TM team runs mock trauma and resuscitation drills, using high-tech mannequins which simulate breathing, pulses, blood pressure, as well as speech and sound so they can replicate a child's response to illness, injury and treatment.

In addition to training thousands of professionals, the team has now become the first in the world to use simulation to help families look after the medical needs of their children.  As part of the hospital's family-centred approach to care, a pilot project was launched in November for families of children with epilepsy requiring seizure management and rescue medication administration.

"Encana is committed to helping build stronger communities," says Encana Executive Vice-President & Chief Corporate Officer, Bill Oliver. "By investing in KidSIM^TM we are helping to ensure that sick and injured children in Alberta and beyond receive the best care possible from professionals who have the skills, experience and confidence to save young lives for years to come."

"We are so grateful for the long-standing support we've received from Encana," says Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation President and CEO, Saifa Koonar. "Today's wonderful gift is going to help our nation-leading KidSIM^TM team build an even greater level of expertise, train more professionals and now help families who are caring for their critically ill children at home."

"It is incredibly daunting - especially in the beginning - when you need to inject your child with medication while she's in the middle of a seizure," says Paula Janfield whose 13-year-old daughter suffers from a severe form of epilepsy. "Now that the hospital is offering this kind of hands-on simulation training, I know it will really help families get the skills and confidence they need to manage their child's condition safely at home."

The new simulation lab will cost an estimated $2.4 million and will be built on the fourth floor of the hospital. Encana's donation brings the Foundation within one million dollars of reaching its goal.

Encana Corporation
Encana is a leading North American energy producer that is focused on growing its strong portfolio of diverse resource plays producing natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids. By partnering with employees, community organizations and other businesses, Encana contributes to the strength and sustainability of the communities where it operates. Encana common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ECA.

The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation raises funds for excellence in child health, research and family centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative programs, state-of-the-art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally-recognized pediatric research.

Justine Clay
Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation
Office: 403.955.8824
Email: [email protected]

Leanne Dohy
Communications
Encana Corporation
Office: 403.645.5525
Email: [email protected]

To download b-roll of KidSIM™ in action go to:

ftp://208.118.126.84/

username: kidsim
password: ahs