Superior North EMS Paramedics have New Tool to provide Care.
Superior North EMS Paramedics have new tool to provide care
May 12, 2009 - Superior North EMS has been working with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and the Northwest Community Care Access Centre (NWCCAC) for the past year on a new patient care program. We have jointly developed a program that is based on a Toronto EMS model which we think will benefit people across the District of Thunder Bay.
Although paramedics have and utilize life-saving and life-impacting skills, they are often faced with patients who call 911 but have no life-threatening illness or injury. These situations include those patients with chronic medical conditions, personal and social issues, or who require palliative care. Paramedics are then faced with the choice of either leaving the patient to cope on his / her own, or to transport the patient to the ER, where a referral for other types of care may occur before the patient is released to return home.
Community Referral EMS (CREMS) will better deliver the right care to people at the right time. Currently, paramedics have no option but to bring all patients directly to the emergency room (ER). There are no other options legally and this includes patients with psycho-social problems, who fall often and need assistance, or people who otherwise do not actually need acute care medical attention, but nevertheless need attention of some sort.
Paramedics will now be authorized to refer a patient directly to the NWCCAC so that person can get the care they need. The NWCCAC will follow-up directly within 24 hours, and the person is not brought to the ER by EMS. The positive benefits are:
1. Reduced burden on EMS and District ERs.
2. Increased access to CCAC.
3. Better care for people.
CREMS will be implemented on Monday, May 11, 2009.
QUOTES
“We are pleased to add yet another tool for paramedics to use in improving their ability to help people. Our paramedics will now be able to better avoid bringing people who
don’t really need acute medical care to the ER. The provision of a direct referral by paramedics means that unnecessary trips to the ER may be avoided. This has the added benefit of reducing EMS patient calls, reducing the burden on the ERs, and helping the NWCCAC better access people in need. The benefits are wide-ranging.”
In the past 10 years, 911 requests for paramedics have doubled, and there has been a 10% increase in call volume in the last year alone.
For further information contact Norm Gale at 807-627-5173.
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"North West Community Care Access Centre (NWCCAC) is pleased to be involved with the new Community Referral EMS (CREMS) partnership with Superior North EMS and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. When paramedics are called to a home and they encounter a senior who may benefit from homecare services, they now have an option for a quick referral to the NWCCAC to connect them to the appropriate resources and supports. The senior can remain at home safely and unnecessary hospital admissions or visits to the emergency department can be prevented."
For further information contact Paula Donylyk at 807-345-7339.
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"TBRHSC supports this initiative as it provides patients with a link to appropriate care in their home. The Paramedics can make referrals to Northwest CCAC and an assessment can be done to ensure a safe plan is put in place. Referrals were previously facilitated at TBRHSC and involved using the EMS service to bring the person to TBRHSC and often included use of EMS for the trip home as well. CREMS will allow EMS and TBRHSC to provide urgent service to people requiring it.
Visits to TBRHSC Emergency Department have increased 10% from April 2008. TBRHSC Emergency saw 97,339 patients last year, making us the busiest single site Emergency department in Ontario for April 2008- March 2009. CREMS improves the quality of the care experience for patients and their families requiring Community services. The services of all three providers are improved as a result of appropriate care in the right setting. Timely access to acute care and improved quality and safety for the people we serve is important to all us. We are committed to providing the right care in the right place at the right time."
For further information contact Cathy Covino at 807-684-6012.
