Formula 1 Fiset:  anesthesiologist at The Montreal Children’s Hospital works in the fast lane at the Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL, June 4, 2008 — Anesthesiologist, Pierre Fiset is use to living in the fast lane. As the Director of Anesthesia at The Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) of the MUHC, he oversees thousands of surgeries each year. This experience will serve him well this weekend as he manages the Race Track Hospital at the Canadian Grand Prix. Along with colleague, Jean-Marc Chauny from Hôpital Sacré-Coeur, he will manage the 150 health professionals who will take care of any and all medical situations during the race.

“Recruitment and coordination of physicians to the Race Track Hospital is key,” says Dr. Fiset. “The medical team includes anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, plastic and orthopedic surgeons. All told, there will be about 40 physicians. We will also have more than 20 nurses and 15 respiratory therapists on site.”

Other key players include racecar rescue attendants, first-responders and ambulance personnel, pit-lane teams, and other professionals who will be on standby.

“The track hospital is similar to a very well-equipped emergency room,” says Dr. Fiset. “If one of the drivers is in a crash, we will be able to provide primary interventions, such as, stabilization and resuscitation. Our job is to stabilize the patient before he or she is sent to hospital.”

Due to limited access to the site, helicopters will be available to transport critical patients to the trauma centre at Hôpital Sacré-Coeur.

“We are prepared to manage most medical situations; including serious ones. Over the years we have had great success. This is thanks to careful planning, leadership by the medical director, Dr. Jacques Bouchard and Dr. Ronald Denis, and the entire team’s medical expertise.”

In addition to the medical facilities for the formula one drivers, a public hospital will be set-up for fans. “This facility will treat everything from sunburn to hypothermia, heart attacks to fractures,” says Dr. Fiset, who is also involved with the coordination of this medical centre.

It is estimated, that more than 100 racers and 125 000 people will attend the Grand Prix, which begins Thursday, June 5.

The Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Health Centre and is affiliated with McGill University. The MCH is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from across Quebec. Our areas of medical expertise include programs in brain development/behaviour, cardiovascular sciences, critical care, medical genetics and oncology, tertiary medical and surgical services, and trauma care. Fully bilingual, the hospital also promotes multiculturalism and serves an increasingly diverse community in more than 50 languages. The Montreal Children’s Hospital sets itself apart with its team approach to innovative patient care. Our health professionals and staff are dedicated to ensuring children and their families receive exceptional health care in a friendly and supportive environment.

For more information please contact:
Lisa Dutton
Manager, Public Relations and Communications MCH
514 412-4307
[email protected] [1]