Essex-Windsor EMS has a new program to treat patients in the community and reduce transfers to emergency departments.
The Community Assessment Triage Team will treat low-acuity patients without transferring them to the hospital.
“This groundbreaking program empowers our highly-trained Community Paramedics to treat and refer or release patients, with their consent, alleviating systemic pressures at our hospital emergency rooms,” said Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter. “It will promote a better patient experience and have a cascading positive impact on the delivery of health care across the Windsor-Essex region.”
Two Primary Care Paramedics are currently on the team. It operates 12 hours per day, seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., out of the Mercer Ambulance base in Windsor, and responds to calls across Essex County.
“Our government is committed to reducing offload delays and emergency room wait times across the province and ensuring that Ontario residents receive the quality health care they deserve and expect,” said Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones. “We are also working with local health care partners like Essex-Windsor EMS to implement innovative programs that place a priority on patient care and the effective use of our highly-skilled and valued Paramedics.”
The team responds to calls in a marked EMS vehicle. It's not an ambulance.
A patient may request an ambulance transfer to the hospital.
“By working together to reduce the volume of 911 calls and lower the number of unnecessary trips to the emergency room, we can increase capacity in the system and enhance the delivery of health care for all,” said Krauter.