Video explains the triage process in Cree language

A new video explaining the triage process has been created through a partnership between Maskwacis Health Services, Maskwacis Radio, Aboriginal Health Service/Aboriginal Health (Media Services) and the Wetaskiwin Hospital ER.

“The video is a culturally appropriate teaching tool that has been developed for the Cree population to help them better understand the triage process,” said Tracy Lee, Aboriginal health lead with the Aboriginal Health Program through AHS.

A management steering committee consisting of both AHS and Maskwacis Health managers was assembled to look into better serving the Aboriginal population in the region. After reviewing the ER utilization statistics, it was found that many Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal patients were heading to the ER for non-urgent care.

This left many people frustrated over waiting times and unclear about the procedures around serving patients. In that case, a video outlining the process and procedures of attending the ER was a necessary component to best serving the population.

This culturally-competent video, which provides the Cree population with information in the Cree language, is also relevant to non-Aboriginal patients that attend the ER.
“This video is presented in the Cree language with English subtitles, which allows patients of any background a ‘behind the scenes’ view of triage, so that an individual can gain a better understanding of the expectations and protocol within the ER,” said Lee.

The video begins with a patient walking through the ER doors and thoroughly explains the triage – how patients are prioritized for care -  process. The hopes of this video are to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of ER and the processes that are in place.

This video is the newest addition to the extensive training around providing cultural safety to Aboriginal people when they come to utilize the services of the hospital.

“Along with the video, the hospital has had a sweetgrass guideline that has been in place for years. Also we have had a cultural awareness session in our ER orientation course for the past three years,” said Elan Heinrichs, emergency department manager at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.

The sweetgrass guideline allows Elders to utilize sweetgrass for ceremonies for Aboriginal patients, especially during the delivering of babies.

This new video is dedicated to the memory of Warren Ermineskin, a former evening radio announcer at Muskwachees Radio in Hobbema, whose voice became a familiar sound to the whole community.

Ermineskin passed away on December 2010 and prior to his passing volunteered his time to both narrate and act in the video.  In respect to Cree custom and protocols, the video was not used for a year, but with the blessing and support of his family, the video was released in January 2011.  

This video has been playing regularly in the hospital since the end of January.

“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly supportive. Positive feedback and comments have been provided by members of the community,” said Lee.