Ottawa paramedics at Level Zero more than 700 times so far in 2022
The number of “Level Zero” events for Ottawa paramedics in the first half of this year nearly equalled the total from all of last year, as the service deals with high call volume and offload delays in hospital emergency rooms.
Ottawa paramedics experienced 725 “Level Zero” events from January to June, when there are no paramedics available to respond to emergency calls, compared to 750 in all of 2021.
In addition, the service says there has been a "significant number" of Level Zero events so far in July.
Level Zero events occur when there are no ambulance crews available to respond to a call, often because crews are waiting to offload patients at the emergency department.
"As a result of the ongoing system-wide health care crisis across the country, the Ottawa Paramedic Service, along with other emergency services across Ontario and Canada, continue to experience unprecedented service impacts," Ottawa Paramedic Service chief Pierre Poirier said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
"The longstanding offload delays incurred at hospitals continue to challenge the Ottawa Paramedic Service, and other cities across Canada, and remain a significant contributor to level zero incidences. Hospital offload delays impact the Service’s resources, ability to respond to calls and return to service quickly."
Hospitals in Ottawa have been warning patients to expect longer wait times to see a doctor in emergency departments this summer, due to high patient volumes and staffing shortages. In May, the average wait time to see a doctor for a first assessment in an Ottawa hospital emergency department was between 1.9 hours and 3.7 hours.
Since April, the Ottawa Paramedic Service has seen a 20 per cent increase in call volumes.
"The trickledown effect of surrounding regional municipalities faced with these similar pressures further exacerbate level zero incidences citywide. These factors, along with ongoing COVID-19 staffing shortages and consistently high call volumes, has put an extra strain on our resources," Poirier said.
Paramedics are implementing new and existing mitigation measures to reduce offload delays in the emergency department, including a "Patient Flow Paramedic" at the Queensway Carleton Hospital to monitor up to three newly arrived patients in the ER, "community paramedicine programs" to provide patient assessment and treatment in the community and a "mental wellbeing response team."
The Ottawa Paramedic Service has hired 28 new staff members this year to increase capacity to meet the demand for service.
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.