Paramedic pilot project to ease pressure on emergency rooms

Peterborough paramedics will have new options when assisting palliative care patients and other patients under a new model of care for paramedic services in Ontario announced on Friday.

Under a pilot project that will be in place for one year, paramedics in the city and county will be able to address patient needs and defer those with less critical needs from overpacked hospital emergency rooms.

The provincial government wants to develop a model to help deliver connected care for people calling 911 who might not necessarily need emergency attention, rather than just taking patients to a hospital, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith explained.

“We are changing to a new model, one where paramedics that are appropriately trained will have more options and would take the individual to the level of care they need,” Smith said.

He used the example of a person in palliative care in explaining how they would receive care under the new model.

Paramedics assessing a person’s needs such as palliative care could help them in dealing with pain and administering the level of care needed for them at that time instead of taking them to the emergency department, he said.

“It opens up so many more options, it alleviates some of the pressure on the emergency rooms,” Smith said.

The patient-centred program will enhance the abilities of paramedics, as a part of the coordinated care team to help reroute patients from the burden placed on hospitals, he said.

Paramedics are pleased to be participating in the program as it will help to provide comfort for those in palliative care and their families, said Randy Mellow, chief of Peterborough Paramedic Services.

Training for paramedics involved in the pilot project would take place through modular

learning and focus on issues such as providing specific medication for pain, shortness of breath and anxiety and hallucinations.

“It is a very specific training program developed in collaboration with the palliative care networks that will all be provided to our paramedics over the period of time,” Mellow said.

The training will also involve the integration and co-ordination of the care team, he said.

“How referrals are made, documentation is made, ensures the paramedic care we provide now becomes part of the treatment plan and alters the treatment plan going forward,” Mellow said.

Paramedics addressing these needs will decrease the number of patients being seen in emergency rooms while improving the quality of care received by both groups, officials explained.

“What you are going to see is an increase in service and better-quality care for the same amount of money,” Smith said.

“The paramedics will be receiving additional funding for it absolutely, but it is not one of those cases where we are going to be taking funding away from a hospital.”

The palliative care at home pilot program will also be implemented by paramedics in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County and Durham Region.