Province expanding program aimed at cutting ER backlog

The province is investing about $5 million to expand a pilot project to two hospitals with the goal of reducing emergency room wait times.

The Accountable Care Unit (ACU) at Pasqua Hospital is being considered a success, so another is being set up in Regina and one in Saskatoon.

Jim Reiter, provincial health minister, says if the two new units show the same results then there will likely be more units set up around the province.

Stef Ward, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), has been part of the pilot project and said she couldn’t be happier the unit will not only remain, but expand.

“It gives me chills,” she said after the announcement.

Ward said it’s great to have time to work with the patients, which makes her love nursing again.

“We can see the benefit it has for the patient and the staff,” she said. “We are not spending all day trying to get a hold of doctors. I can sit down with my patient. I can learn about them. I can talk to them about where they come from, where their kids are, what their families do. You actually can (do) hand holding, pillow fluffing, you can actually look after your patients again. You are not rushing around so much because your doctor is there and you can rely on each other.”

Although more time is being spent with patients, Ward said this type of care can have a positive effect on wait times.

“Because people are being looked after faster and they are getting their test faster, they are getting their results faster, they are not staying as long and we are making sure that they are having a safe discharge so they are going home safely,” she said.

Reiter toured the ACU and was impressed by what he saw and believes the province is on the right track by continuing to support this health care model.

“We have to look at all avenues and certainly with successful programs like this we think this can play a role,” he said.

The Ministry of Health added the work continues to improve ER wait times despite the increased demand for service from a growing population. The goal is to reduce ER wait times by 35 per cent from 2013-14 to 2017-18.

Another development the public can expect in the near future is an announcement on community care centres, although he would not disclose any specific information about the centres.

“We think it will fit very nicely with what the accountable care teams are doing,” said Reiter.

We can see the benefit it has for the patient and the staff.

He remains optimistic the province will reach its target to reduce ER wait times by 60 per cent in the next two years despite the move toward one health region.

“Some things are happening quicker than others, which is to be expected,” he said.

“We are moving forward fairly rapidly with the IT team. We are going to move to one IT system for health care in the province.”

Reiter said, unlike Alberta, the province is not rushing and the target date is still late next year for the complete switch and things are still on target.