Athabasca County has received the following notice from Alberta Health Services:
Alberta Health Services will be expanding its Virtual Emergency Physician Program to Athabasca this week to improve support for the Emergency Department (ED) at the Athabasca Healthcare Centre.
The Virtual Emergency Physician Program uses an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities during times when they do not have available on-site ED physician support.
During ED service disruptions, site clinical staff connect with an AHS physician by telephone or video conference for ED patients with low acuity issues. This off-site virtual physician can collaborate with local staff, speak with patients, order tests and medications, and transfer or discharge patients.
Virtual physician models are currently being used in B.C., Saskatchewan, and Ontario, where this approach has proven to be reliable and effective in ensuring low-acuity patients receive the support they need. EMS remains available to transfer high-acuity patients to a facility with in-person ED physician support.
AHS continues to actively recruit physicians to supply in-person emergency department support.
For further information on the virtual program, please click here.
