By rdnewsNOW Staff

EMS Stretched Beyond Limits: HSAA

HSAA demands AHS come clean about state of emergency services in Alberta

Oct 28, 2021 | 10:09 AM

Officials with Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) say information gathered by the organization shows Albertans can no longer be certain an ambulance will be available to respond when they need one.

Officials say HSAA has tracked red alerts (no ambulance available to respond), at least 135 in 50 days.

HSAA is calling on Alberta Health Services (AHS) to ‘tell Albertans the full story of what is happening when people need an ambulance and the paramedics that crew it’.

According to HSAA, EMS services are stretched beyond their limits.

Since Oct. 23, HSAA says there have been at least 20 red alerts declared, including three in Red Deer; and one in Kneehill County.

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The organization also says there are currently 290 unfilled paramedic shifts in Alberta for this week, suggesting this is merely a snapshot of three days, with a larger review of the entire system needed that would reveal a far greater failure of the EMS system in Alberta.

“We have heard reassurances the closest ambulance will be sent to people who need them,” said HSAA President, Mike Parker, in a press release. “What we aren’t being told is the number of times there is no ambulance available to respond, or that when one is available it could be coming from another city or town — 30 minutes or even an hour away.”

On Aug. 28 of this year, HSAA launched the HSAA EMS Facebook page. Officials say the purpose of the site is to give Albertans an idea of what’s happening across the province when it comes to ambulance availability. According to HSAA, the first 50 days of that Facebook page have led to the conclusion that Albertans may not have timely access to an ambulance when they need one.

In the first 50 days, HSAA says at least 135 red alerts were declared, including 15 in Red Deer, 10 in Kneehill County, four in Lacombe, and one in Innisfail.

In addition, the organization further claims that at least 66 communities across the province had an ambulance parked for at least one shift, with some for many more, due to no paramedics being available to crew them.

HSAA says it has happened six times in Innisfail, four times in Didsbury, three times in Three Hills, three times in Caroline, twice in Lacombe, once in Rimbey, once in Sundre, once in Carstairs, once in Sylvan Lake, and once in Olds.

According to HSAA, response times exceeded 30 minutes 52 times, while at least 22 times, response times exceeded 60 minutes.

“Decisions by AHS and inaction by the current government mean it’s now a game of chance if there will be an ambulance when you or your family need it most,” commented Parker, who is also an Advance Care Paramedic. “I can tell you sitting in an ambulance knowing it’s going to take an hour to get to someone who needs you is devastating for the health and well-being of paramedics.”

“Anyone seeking to lead needs to come forward with a plan to address the shortage of paramedics available to respond when sick and injured Albertans need them,” concluded Parker. “The cost of continued inaction is measured in lives.”

Officials with AHS, meanwhile, say Alberta’s EMS system is in constant fluctuation as ambulances respond to calls, arrive at hospitals, clear from calls, or as staff come on or go off shift.

The organization says anyone who needs EMS care will receive it, while ensuring that the most critical patients are prioritized for receiving immediate care.

“EMS continues to see an unprecedented increase in emergency calls: EMS crews are responding to up to 30 per cent more calls during 2021. Several combined factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid concerns, and emergency calls related to people returning to regular levels of activity are contributing to the increase,” reads a statement from AHS. “All call types have increased, all across the province and high levels of staff illness and fatigue are also contributing to challenges in the EMS system. EMS has been in touch with colleagues across Canada and around the globe and this increase in calls and staffing level challenges are a global phenomenon.”

““Red Alerts” or “Code Reds” do not mean AHS EMS is unable to respond to emergencies to provide patient care,” the statement continues. “Code Reds are used as a system management tool that lets EMS know when and where additional resources are required to ensure we are able to always respond to emergencies. Code Reds most often last only a few seconds to a couple of minutes and end when resources become free or are deployed from other areas with no impact on patient care or ambulance wait times.”

AHS says EMS monitors ambulance availability in real time and ensures resources are available to respond to emergencies, adding that system adjustments are made minute by minute to make the best use of the existing resources.

“EMS has brought on additional staff and ambulances and is filling 100 paramedic positions across the province,”the statement reads on. “ EMS is deploying supervisors, delaying some non-urgent transfers, and also working closely with hospital teams to ensure timely flow through our emergency departments. EMS is also offering overtime to staff who are willing.”

AHS officials say EMS is also working toward finding ways to transport patients to alternate destinations such as Urgent Care Centres, instead of hospitals, which is said to help return ambulances to service significantly faster.

“EMS staff are working extremely hard to provide timely care to Alberta patients and we thank them for their tireless service. EMS leadership continues to meet regularly with MLAs and local officials to discuss EMS care in their area,” says AHS.