Alberta Health Services (AHS) is expanding a pilot project to improve support for emergency department (ED) patients in northern rural communities.
The Virtual Emergency Physician (VEP) program expanded to Barrhead, Redwater and Westlock this month.
The VEP program uses an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support.
AHS said on-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 AHS said in a media release.
“This model is intended to help provide timely care for rural emergency department patients, support on-site clinical staff, and improve patient flow and patient satisfaction,” said Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock.
Virtual physician models are currently being used in B.C., Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
EMS remains available to transfer high-acuity patients to a facility with in-person ED physician support.
“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,” said Dr. Jane Ojedokun, Medical Director for AHS North Zone.
“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.”
AHS said they are continuing to actively recruit physicians to supply in-person emergency department support.
This service model pilot launched in January 2025 at the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital, Edson Healthcare Centre, Elk Point Healthcare Centre, Hinton Healthcare Centre, and the William J. Cadzow – Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre.
Since the launch, Elk Point has recruited on-site physician support and is no longer in need of the Virtual Emergency Physician program.
If there is a service disruption and there is no emergency physician on-site, it will be noted in the communications if a virtual emergency physician will be available.
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