I would like to clarify a number of statements from a recent article and provide more information about BC Emergency Health Services' (BCEHS) commitment to patient safety and appropriate care.
BCEHS transports the majority of patients via ground ambulance; however, air ambulances are used to transport patients who are critically ill or injured and require a higher level of care. Due to the vast distances travelled in Northern B.C., the fixed wing air ambulance – staffed with highly trained Critical Care Paramedics – is often the primary method used to transport these patients.
It's important to note that air ambulance helicopters are rarely used to transport patients in Northern B.C. In 2013/14, BCEHS only transported 254 patients via rotary wing in the North – of those only nine flights were either to and/or from Prince George. However, when a helicopter is required, three ad hoc providers are used, each with capabilities to appropriately transport patients and respond quickly.
BCEHS has a protocol in place to ensure that critically ill or injured patients in Northern B.C. are transported to specialty-care hospitals as quickly as possible. When paramedics arrive on scene in a ground ambulance, they assess whether the patient needs to be air-lifted to a special-care hospital. If required, Critical Care Paramedics and aircraft immediately begin preparing for the emergency flight to ensure no time is wasted.
I, along with all our paramedics, dispatchers and staff remain committed to providing timely emergency pre-hospital care throughout B.C. As a provincial service we will continue to work with our healthcare partners, like Northern Health, to provide a consistent continuum of care.
Our BCEHS representatives look forward to meeting with HEROS in January to discuss their proposal in more detail and determine how best to serve patients.
Linda Lupini
Executive Vice President
BC Emergency Health Services
