Ottawa paramedics at 'Level Zero' 526 times in first five months of 2022
There have been no Ottawa paramedic units available to respond to calls an average of more than three times a day so far this year, as the service deals with an increase in calls and significant delays offloading patients in hospitals.
Between Jan. 1 and May 25, paramedics reported 526 "Level Zero” events compared to 45 during the same period in 2021, according to a report for the community and protective services committee.
Level Zero events occur when there are no ambulance crews available to respond to a call, often because they are stuck waiting to offload patients at the emergency department.
In the first five months of the year, paramedics transported 28,000 patients to hospital and spent 25,000 hours in offload delay.
Staff estimate paramedics could spend upwards of 60,000 hours in offload delay by the end of the year.
"Offload delay continues to be a significant contributor to level zero events in the city of Ottawa," staff said. "In addition, since the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions within the community, the Ottawa Paramedic Service has experienced a 12 per cent increase in response volumes."
In January, Mayor Jim Watson and community and protective services committee chair Matthew Luloff sent a letter to Health Minister Christine Elliott asking for a "coordinated and innovated approach" to solving paramedic offload delay issues in Ottawa hospitals.
Luloff asked the Ottawa Paramedic Service what mitigation strategies have been implemented to address level zero in the city.
Staff say the Ottawa Paramedic Services have "implemented several strategies" to mitigate offload delays by reducing patient transports and diverting patients away from emergency departments.
Examples of mitigation strategies include "community paramedicine programs" where specially trained paramedics provide patient assessment, diagnostics and treatment in the community, a "mental wellbeing response team" and an "early discharge initiative". Paramedics have also established a "Patient Flow Paramedic" at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, where a paramedic is stationed in the emergency department to monitor up to three newly arrived patients while crews return to service.
A report on the outcomes of these initiatives will be presented to the community and protective services committee and council next year.
In 2021, paramedics reported 750 incidents of level zero, with paramedics spending 49,000 hours in offload delays at hospitals.
"The Ottawa Paramedic Service's service delivery to the community continues to be challenged by offload delay and level zero events," says the report. "The service continues to implement new and existing initiatives to provide individuals with alternate care options that are appropriate and safe to reduce transports to the emergency department."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.