Bup/Nal Initiation | Clinical Governance | Nursing Education | Patient Centred Communication Strategy | Prevention of Harassment & Violence
Many individuals who live with Opioid Use Disorder visit emergency departments (ED) and Urgent Care Centres (UCC) because of an overdose, withdrawal symptoms, or other issues related to opioid use. The Emergency SCN has implemented a province-wide strategy to screen and initiate bup-nal for eligible ED/UCC patients.
The Emergency SCN is committed to the creation of provincially harmonized policies, protocols, and procedures for use within Alberta’s ED/UCC environments.
The ESCN is working closely with Health Professions Strategy & Practice to provide standardize orientation and ongoing training for all of Alberta’s ED/UCC nursing staff.
In an emergency, patients can feel stressed, anxious and afraid when they wait in an emergency department or urgent care centre. How our healthcare teams talk to patients can improve their experience. At the request of patient and family advisors, Emergency Care Alberta has developed and updated three tools to support patients and clinicians in communicating and understanding the patient journey in emergency departments and urgent care centres.
The ESCN is aware of and is seeking to address the issue of violence in the ED/UCC workplace. In conjunction with Workplace Health & Safety, we are planning a variety of responses to help keep our ED/UCC workers safe.
Patient Experience | Long Term Care
Improving communication with patients in the ED/UCC settings is a priority. The ESCN is working to provide a patient journey map to help explain the ED/UCC journey in plain language. This work also includes providing signage that acknowledges Indigenous Peoples and the ancestral land upon which we provide our services.
This initiative provided direction in care of Long Term Care (LTC) residents in times of medical urgency more appropriately, and sought to reduce unnecessary risks associated with transfers to Emergency Departments.
