Ontario Supporting Dufferin-Caledon Fire Services During COVID-19

April 13, 2021

Dufferin-Caledon: MPP Sylvia Jones is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is launching new 9-1-1 models of care to now cover 33 municipalities across the province. These new models of care will ensure paramedics have more options to provide safe and appropriate treatment for patients while helping to protect hospital capacity as the province continues to respond to the third wave of COVID-19.

Currently, paramedics are required to bring 9-1-1 patients to overcrowded hospital emergency departments, even when there are other appropriate care and treatment options available in the community. Under the innovative patient care model pilots, eligible palliative care patients and those experiencing mental health and addictions challenges can receive appropriate care by the paramedic directly or in the community as appropriate. The patient will remain in ultimate control of the care they receive and can at any time request to be taken to the emergency department.

“I am pleased that our paramedic services in Dufferin County was one of the initiators    of this pilot project,” said Jones. “It is important to adapt and change services to ensure paramedics are responding to the needs of our community. Using our health resources wisely and improving patient care is the goal for this pilot project.”

Today’s announcement includes Dufferin County Paramedic Service. The pilot project outlines a new model of care for palliative care. Paramedics are able to assess the patient on-scene, including establishing baseline vital signs (e.g. checking blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) Advance Care Paramedics now have an expanded level of care management and medications specifically for palliative patients. They will be able to confirm patient consent before assisting in transporting palliative care patients directly to a hospice that they are registered with instead of to the hospital.

“The changes announced this week will greatly improve the care and support provided to palliative patients in our community. Thanks to the tremendous work by the Hills of Headwaters OHT palliative care team, the Paramedic team, the Ministry of Health and local physicians; I am proud to report that this new program is now operational,” said Tom Reid, Chief Dufferin County Paramedic Service.

 Each pilot project will be in place for one year, after which it will be evaluated to assess outcomes, identify where program adjustments may be needed, and how to implement new models of care throughout the province.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen more than ever how critical it is for patients to receive timely and effective care – when and where they need it,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As Ontario’s hospitals face unprecedented capacity pressures during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, these new models of care will enable our world-class paramedics to support our most vulnerable patients in the most appropriate setting, while avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits.”

QUICK FACTS:

• To date, 9-1-1 models of care pilots have been approved for implementation in regions across Ontario covering 33 municipalities, with additional details to become available in the coming weeks.
• Under the Alternate Destination model, specially trained paramedics assess the patient’s condition on-scene, per the Patient Assessment Standard of the Basic Life Support Patient Care Standards, followed by transport to a local hospice for palliative care patients, or to a local crisis centre for patients experiencing symptoms of mental health and addictions challenges. This model is currently available in select regions for both palliative care patients and patients experiencing symptoms of mental health and addictions challenges.
• Under the Treat and Refer model, specially trained paramedics treat palliative care patients on-site in their home, which can include administering medication for pain or dyspnea, hallucinations or agitation, terminal congested breathing, and nausea or vomiting. Once the patient has been treated, paramedics would directly coordinate follow-up care with a local hospice or the patient’s primary palliative care team to provide longer-term treatment options. This model is currently only available for palliative care patients in select regions.
• Patient eligibility criteria varies from model-to-model. Paramedics responding to 9-1-1 calls for select palliative care patients and mental health and addictions patients will conduct an assessment on-scene for eligibility to participate in new models of care. If patients are not registered, paramedics would ask the patients on-scene if they would like to be registered with their local centres in order to be eligible for the next time they dial 9-1-1.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Patient Care Model Standards
• Ontario Improving Access to the Right Care in the Right Place
• Ontario Unveils Plan to Build Mental Health and Addictions System

 

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