In an effort to shorten the amount of time paramedics spend in Emergency Departments, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is launching a pilot program at two Edmonton hospitals.
It’s an issue many patients and paramedics run into – an hours-long wait when they arrive at the Emergency Room. The wait can tie paramedics up for an average of three hours per case.
“We’re hoping to get it down to one hour,” AHS President and CEO Vickie Kaminski said.
Now, AHS is rolling out Rapid Transfer Units, that will be implemented at the University of Alberta Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
The program would see between eight and 15 beds in each unit, more stretchers, and staffed with extra nurses.
“So they’re not having to wait while the admitted patient moves to an admitted bed because we’ve moved them over here to rapid transfer,” Kaminski said.
Kaminski added that when possible, one crew of paramedics will look after multiple patients, allowing ambulances to get back on the road.
“That’s our goal, less red alerts and better response times,” Kaminski said.
The idea comes after results of a recent survey found morale is low, and workers are burnt out.
Health Sciences Association of Alberta President Elisabeth Ballerman said the idea is positive, but she’ll keep a close eye on the plan in the long-term – AHS said if the project works, it could be implemented throughout Alberta.
“This looks very much like some projects we already had, so to call them a pilot – yes they have to evaluate them – I am prepared to bet we’re going to need that capacity long term,” Ballerman said.
The project will cost AHS $2.1 million.
With files from Carmen Leibel
