January 20, 2025
Pilot project uses remote physicians to support emergency department patients
ELK POINT — Alberta Health Services (AHS) is launching a pilot project to improve support for emergency department (ED) patients in four northern rural communities.
The new Virtual Emergency Physician program will use an experienced rural/northern ED physician to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support. In these instances, site clinical staff can connect with an AHS physician by telephone or videoconference for ED patients with non-life threatening issues. This off-site virtual physician will collaborate with local staff, speak with patients, order tests and medications, and transfer or discharge patients.
“I am pleased to see how Alberta Health Services is taking proactive steps to support rural healthcare by piloting the Virtual Emergency Physician program in Elk Point. This will potentially eliminate emergency room closures in one of our communities. While we recognize that this program does not replace the need for in-person doctors, it is a practical step to ensure Albertans in rural communities have access to emergency room care when they need it most,” says Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr.
Similar models are currently being used in B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario, where this approach has proven to be safe, reliable and effective in ensuring low-acuity patients receive the support they need when they need it. EMS remains available to transfer high-acuity patients to a facility with in-person ED physician support.
“Generally, many of our emergency department service disruptions occur overnight when the number of patients is lower, and the injuries or illnesses are not as acute and can be easily handled with on-site nursing care and a virtual physician,” says Dr. Jane Ojedokun, Medical Director for AHS North Zone.
“If patients have life-threatening issues, we have plans in place to get them the care they need through the support of EMS and surrounding facilities.”
AHS continues to actively recruit physicians to supply in-person emergency department support. This initiative will not impact those continued efforts in the pilot communities. On-site physician coverage remains AHS’ priority.
This service model is being piloted at the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital, Elk Point Healthcare Centre, Hinton Healthcare Centre, and the William J. Cadzow – Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre.
The Virtual Emergency Physician program will be available to the four pilot sites starting Jan. 20, 2025. If there is a service disruption and there is no emergency physician on-site, it will be noted in the communications if a virtual emergency physician may be available.
AHS’ Medical Affairs team is currently recruiting North Zone ED physicians to work as virtual physicians for the four pilot sites as needed.
Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
