AHS responds to ambulance concerns

The following is a Letter to the Editor of the Claresholm Local Press  who originally published "Concerns aired about changes to rural ambulance services (click here)" , as well, a story that by the numbers is generating a lot of interest locally in Pincher Creek as well as in Claresholm.  We thank the Claresholm Local Press for their generosity in allowing us to reprint it.  

From Alberta EMS Clinical Operations Executive Directors Sandy Halldorson and Nicholas Thain:

Editor;

Re: “M.D. hears about ambulance concerns from insider”, Aug. 21
Your story of Aug. 21 raised important issues, but contained inaccuracies about the level of service being offered to local patients.


Alberta Health Services (AHS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) appreciates the chance to share information about ambulance services in the Fort Macleod, Nanton, Claresholm, and Municipal District of Willow Creek areas, to assure residents they continue to receive high quality patient care.
Ambulance response times in these four areas are stable; they are about the same now as they were four years ago when AHS assumed responsibility for ambulance services, and have remained steady. AHS regularly publishes response time data on its website, and is expanding the towns that are being publicly reported.

Inter-facility patient transfers are an important part of the health-care system. The Health Quality Council of Alberta has asked AHS to determine the resources required for inter-facility transfers, and we are doing that. Already there are 19 non-ambulance transfer (NAT) vans being used across the province, including four in the South Zone that can move patients from Fort Macleod to appointments in Lethbridge and Calgary. More are being implemented, including one in Claresholm later this year. These vehicles can transfer medically-stable patients between health-care facilities and help free up ambulances for emergency response.
When an ambulance is called outside its community, our provincial dispatch system is set up to move ambulances constantly to areas where gaps emerge. Our priority is getting the closest available ambulance to anyone who needs help, as quickly as possible.

We continue to find new ways to improve the level of patient care offered in the community. In 2012, advanced life support ambulance services were added to Fort Macleod, enhancing the basic support service that had been in place, and Claresholm will also be upgraded to advanced life support this fall.

When not responding to emergencies, our paramedics are working in our health-care facilities, helping care for patients. EMS is involved in the Community Health and Pre-Hospital Support Program and can refer patients to Home Care and other community services early so they remain safe in their home and less likely to need emergency department transportation. We also work closely with Public Health, participating in flu clinics and home administration of medications.

In the coming weeks we will be meeting again with local councils and other public stakeholders to share facts and information, hear any concerns, and discuss ways to improve the service that local residents are receiving.

We are always concerned when we hear of cases where patient care may be jeopardized. We understand that having a timely EMS response is vital and we all have the same goal; to ensure patients receive safe, timely service no matter where they live in the province.

Sincerely,
Nicholas Thain
Executive Director, EMS Clinical Operations (Interim), Calgary Zone

Sandy Halldorson
Executive Director, EMS Clinical Operations, South Zone

Related links:

Concerns aired about changes to rural ambulance services

PCES Chief Dave Cox comments on ambulance service issues

AHS EMS takeover without a plan, neither efficient nor economically sustainable