The extra measures are intended to improve ambulance response times, address long wait times and overcrowding in ER and offer more places to receive care. Following the deaths of two women who waited hours for care, the province says the actions will ensure people who have the most urgent needs will receive care first in ERs:
- Doctor-led teams will focus on getting patients out of ambulances and into ERs faster;
- Physician assistants and NPs will provide care in ERs:
- Care providers and patient advocates will support patients in waiting rooms;
- Virtual care will be made available to more patients with less urgent needs; and
- Healthcare teams will have access to real-time data on where beds are available across the system and what tests and actions are needed to get patients well and at home more quickly, freeing up beds for others.
The province says it plans to establish these waiting room care providers in every ER in Nova Scotia this week. There’s not data on how much it’ll cost to make the changes, or how many extra front-line workers will need to be recruited and trained, which will be a challenge.
Related:
Improving primary care will ease pressure on ERs: Doctors Nova Scotia president - CTV News
New Brunswick opposition parties say province should consider parts of Nova Scotia ER plan - CTV News