Continuing Medical Education


Wilderness Medicine Educational Conference:

The highest point in South America:
Mt. Aconcagua 22,841 ft


An offering of: Wilderness Medical Society
(logistics and guiding by Andes Mountain Guides)
Date: January 5-24, 2011

This accredited curriculum's highlights include pathophysiology, treatment and prioritization of care for a variety of medical problems commonly encountered in wilderness environments and settings remote from hospital/ definitive care. Physicians and allied health care providers who counsel patients traveling to remote areas will be interested in the topics covered during this unique CME event. Curriculum includes altitude safety, altitude risk reduction, recent recommendations on altitude-related illnesses prophylaxis, rescue strategies and ethics, as well as real Everest war stories- uncovering what it really takes to deliver health care in the high mountain environment. This will be achieved through didactic lectures, small-group discussions and hands-on training.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Wilderness Medical Society and Andes Mountain Guides. The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Wilderness Medical Society designates this educational activity for a maximum of 19 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity

Aconcagua is the highest point on the American continent and the tallest peak in the world outside of Asia. Rising approximately 4,000 ft above its surrounding peaks, Aconcagua, "The Stone Sentinel", dominates the rugged Andean landscape. The ascent to its summit offers spectacular views of the Andes mountain range.

Following the Horcones Glacier, we'll attempt the summit on the northeast aspect of the mountain.

"All the guides did a splendid job in organizing and adapting to every twist from lost baggage to frozen bathroom water. The technical teaching was exceptional and all the guides were helpful, kind, funny and responsive to each concerned voiced by the group.The bottom line is you guy are great and it was a pleasure to be part of the expedition..."
Dr. Scott Unice, Idaho, USA

"I may not have summited but I had an amazing adventure lead by some lovely people. Thanks!"
Dr. Lynne Tracey, London, UK.


Continuing Medical Education Details

  • Length: 20 days
  • Climber/guide ratio: 3:1
  • Capacity: 20
  • Cost: 5,495.00
  • Additional CME Cost: $720.00 (19 hours AMA/PRA Category 1 CME credits)
  • Additional Non-Physician Wilderness Medical Education Cost: $250.00 (Wilderness Education Diploma from The Everest ER and Andes Mountain Guides)
  • Departure dates:
    • 1/5/2011

Included
  • Certified Mountain Guides (bilingual)
  • 2 nights 5* Hotel accommodations in Mendoza and Penitentes. 2 nights Hosteria in Penitentes.
  • Assistance obtaining the permits (permit's fee not included)
  • All meals while in the mountain
  • Restaurant meals in Mendoza and Penitentes (as seen on the Itinerary)
  • Camping and cooking gear for the group
  • Base camp services: dining tent, WC, hyperbaric chamber, emergency oxygen
  • Satellite phone service (minutes not included)
  • Mules
  • Porters for group gear
  • Private ground transportation throughout the trip.
  • Wine tour
  • 24/7 assistance in the US before and during the program.
  • AMG Cap and T-shirt
  • Real time online dispatches


Not included
  • Plane tickets
  • Park Fees
  • Restaurant meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Restaurant drinks
  • Personal equipment (see the CME/Aconcagua Equipment List)
  • Personal Insurance (Global Rescue or Travel Ex)
  • Personal expenses
  • Cost of personal porters if desired or necessary.
  • Rescue costs and extra expenses caused by abandoning the expedition.



Aconcagua CME Itinerary



Day 1

1/5/2011		 Flight to Mendoza. You should arrange your flight in order to arrive in Santiago (Chile) in the morning on January 5, 2011 and connect to Mendoza the same day.

Mendoza (2,428 ft). We'll be waiting for you at the airport and then we'll drive to the Hotel. After an introductory meeting the guides will check all of your gear and we'll be ready for our first CME lecture. Later we'll go out for a welcome dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.

CME, 2 hours
PATIENT ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT IN WILDERNESS SETTINGS (5pm- 6pm)
Initial patient assessment and treatment priorities in remote settings

ALTITUDE ILLNESS (6pm-7pm):
Acute Mountain Sickness. ADVANCES IN PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of altitude illness
Day 2

1/6/2011		 Mendoza - Penitentes. We'll get up early and obtain the mandatory permits and then drive to Penitentes (8,860 ft) where we'll arrange the loads for the mules. Night at the Hotel.

CME, 3 hours
ALTITUDE ILLNESS (4pm - 5pm):
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema(HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE):
ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of HAPE and HACE

BACKCOUNTRY MEDICAL KITS (5pm - 6pm):
Detailed discussion of medical supplies needed in remote environments

BACKCOUNTRY WATER DISINFECTION (6pm - 7pm):
How to effectively purify and disinfect surface water. Participants may have the opportunity to test different water purifiers and learn about chemical and natural water purification techniques.
Day 3

1/7/2011		 Penitentes - Confluencia. We'll drive to the entrance of the Park and after check-in and a quick meeting with the park ranger we'll hike about 3 hours to Confluencia Camp (11,010 ft).

CME, 2 hours
IMPROVISED TRAUMA CARE (5pm - 6pm):
Improvised trauma management away from the hospital setting.

HYPOTHERMIA (6pm - 7pm)
Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia
Day 4

1/8/2011		 Plaza Francia Acclimatization Trek. After a 3-4 hour hike, we'll reach the lookout of the impressive South Face of Aconcagua (13,400 ft). Return to Confluencia Camp.

CME, 2 hours
FROSTBITE AND OTHER COLD INJURIES (5pm - 6pm):
Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of cold injury

LIGHTNING INJURIES (6pm - 7pm):
Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Safety and avoidance.
Day 5

1/9/2011		 Confluencia - Plaza de Mulas. We'll hike for about 6-8 hours to Plaza de Mulas base camp
(14,300 ft) crossing "Playa Ancha" and then climbing "Cuesta Brava". After avviving to base camp, we'll just get confortable and relax after a long hike.
Day 6

1/10/2011		 Plaza de Mulas. CME day. Between lectures we'll just relax and enjoy the surrounds. Plaza de Mulas is a quite interesting place to hang out, with its international atmosphere and little town feeling.

CME, 4 hours
MANAGEMENT OF FRACTURES & DISLOCATIONS (10:30am - 12pm):
Diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic injuries in the backcountry.

WILDERNESS WOUND MANAGEMENT (12pm – 12:30 pm):
Diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries in the backcountry

BITES AND STINGS (5pm-6pm):
Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of common envenomations by insects and snakes.

WILD ANIMAL ATTACKS (6pm- 7pm):
Treatment and avoidance wild animal wounds / attacks
Day 7

1/11/2011		 Cerro Bonete. We'll attempt our first summit Cerro Bonete (16,500 feet). This will be a great chance to test our overall fitness, refine our hiking skills and check out our gear. From the its summit we'll have a superb view of the entire Aconcagua normal route. 5/6 hours roundtrip. We'll return to Plaza de Mulas.

CME, 1 hour
Case studies review with the Aconcagua Clinic doctors (5pm - 6pm):
Meet the doctors working at Aconcagua clinic; tour the facility, discuss memorable cases, learn about their special approach to critical problems in this real wilderness environment.
Day 8

1/12/2011		 Plaza de Mulas. Active rest day. Late in the morning we'll do some technical training; we'll get into some moderate snow field to practice classic crampon techniques on diferent kinds of slopes and terrain. Hiking efficiently is not as easy as it seems, so this morning we'll try to find the most energy-saving way. Later, we'll have our CME class and we'll get ready for the next day.

CME, 3 hours
TRAVELER'S DIARRHEA, GIARDIASIS & OTHER WATERBORNE WILDERNESS INFECTIONS (9am-10am):
Pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of waterborne infections

CASE STUDIES IN EXPEDITION MEDICINE (5pm-6pm):
An interactive case discussion of common expedition problems and their treatment and evacuation strategies.

WILDERNESS OPTHALMOLOGY (6pm-7pm):
Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of eye problems that occur in wildereness settings.
Day 9

1/13/2011		 Canada Camp Acclimatization Carry. We'll climb for 3-4 hours from Base Camp to Canada Camp where we'll stash some food, gear, and other supplies. If weather permits we will climb above Canada Camp to help with our acclimatization process and then we will return to Base Camp. 4-6 hours roundtrip.

CME, 2 hours
CASE STUDIES IN EVEREST BASE CAMP (5:00 - 7:00 pm):
Special considerations in diagnosing and treating medical problems that develop in a mountaineering population.
Day 10

1/14/2011		 Plaza de Mulas. Rest Day. We'll just relax and get packs ready for moving to high camps.

CME, 2 hours
AVALANCHE SAFETY AND RESCUE (10am - 11am):
Andes Mountain Guides expedition staff will conduct a brief review of avalanche safety.

SIMULATED MOUNTAIN RESCUE (11am-12pm):
Andes Mountain Guides will demonstrate "packaging" a patient on the mountain, rigging for raising and lowering nonambulatory patients.
Day 11

1/15/2011		 Canada Camp. We'll climb back to Canada Camp where we'll set up our camp with the help of our porters.
Day 12

1/16/2011		 Nido de Cóndores Camp. We'll climb for 5-6 hours to reach camp, which is at 17,500 ft. From here we'll be able to see one of the best sunsets ever!
Day 13

1/17/2011		 Nido de Condores Camp. We'll have a full rest day and get ready for the next push.
Day 14

1/18/2011		 Berlin Camp. We'll climb for 3-5 hours to reach our high camp at 19,600 ft and get prepared for summit day.
Day 15

1/19/2011		 Aconcagua summit (22,841 ft). We'll begin climbing early in the morning and make our summit push. After reaching Independencia shelter at 21,476 ft and crossing the "big traverse" we'll start climbing the groove "Canaleta". After this strenuous section we'll traverse the Guanaco's ridge, which will take us straight to the highest point in the Western Hemisphere. After some time on the summit for pictures and celebration we will begin our decent back to camp. 10-13 hours roundtrip.
Day 16

1/20/2011		 Extra day. We have include an extra day in case of inclement weather or for further acclimatization if needed.
Day 17

1/21/2011		 Berlin Camp - Plaza de Mulas. We'll wake up late and hike down to base camp, where we'll arrive for lunch. In the evening we'll prepare the mule's to go down.
Day 18

1/22/2011		 Plaza de Mulas - Penitentes. We'll put on our hiking shoes again and go all the way down to the Park entrance and then to our hotel in Penitentes where we'll spend the night. Coditions permitting, we'll have the option of taking a 20 minutes helicopter ride all the way down (optional).
Day 19

1/23/2011		 Penitentes - Mendoza. After breakfast we'll drive to Mendoza and check-in to our hotel, then have a free afternoon to do some shopping and walk Mendoza's streets. In the evening we'll visit a "bodega" to taste some local wines, have our last dinner together and celebrate our climb.
Day 20

1/24/2011		 Flight back Home. Transfer to the airport. End of the program.

Restaurant meals included: day 1 (D), day 2 (L, D), day 18 (D) and day 19 (D).
Hotel includes breakfast.

Faculty
Eric Johnson, MD, FACEP, FAWM: Eric is the Emergency Services Medical Directory for the Teton Valley Hospital in Driggs, ID. He is a NAUI dive instructor and a hyperbaric physician. He was a Mt. Everest Base Camp Physician in 2006 and a Himalayan Rescue Association volunteer in 1998 and 2002. He has taught Wilderness Medicine courses for physicians around the world for 12 years.


NOTE: FACULTY HAS SIGNED A DISCLOSURE FORM LISTING ANY COMMERCIAL SUPPORT.

Designation Statement:
The Wilderness Medical Society designates this educational activity for a maximum of 19 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Full disclosure statement:
Faculty member Dr. Johnson has disclosed no real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of this presentation.

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