Virtual Emergency Physician program expands to Hardisty

Project uses remote physicians to support emergency department patients 

HARDISTY – Patients seeking care at the Hardisty Health Centre emergency department (ED) now have additional supports, following the March 27 launch of the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Virtual Emergency Physician (VEP) program at the facility.

The VEP program uses an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities that are temporarily without 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 collaborates with local staff, speaks with patients, orders tests and medications, and transfers or discharges patients.

Hardisty will have an on-site physician available in the ED on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 
7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with nursing staff on-site at all times to assess any patients who may present to the site. A VEP might be available Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. If there is a service disruption and no emergency physician on-site, public communications will note whether a virtual emergency physician may be available.

The VEP program launched in northern Alberta at five sites in January 2025, serving about 1,150 patients in the first six months. The program now operates across multiple sites in northwestern and central Alberta communities.

Similar models are also used in B.C. and Saskatchewan. The approach has proven to be reliable and effective in ensuring patients with non-life-threatening conditions receive the support they need when they need it. Emergency Health Services (EHS) remains available to transfer patients to a facility with in-person ED physician support, as needed.

“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, Deputy Corridor Lead – Edmonton Rural, for AHS. 

She has been instrumental in the introduction and expansion of the VEP program in rural Alberta.

“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,” Dr. Ojedokun says.

AHS continues to actively recruit physicians to supply in-person ED support. This initiative will not impact those continued efforts in the pilot communities. On-site physician coverage remains AHS’ priority.

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres and health centres across the province. Our mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.