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
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.