Alberta paramedics get OK to do more medical tests
CBC News | Posted: September 15, 2016 9:59 PM | Last Updated: September 15, 2016
'The more we can do on the front lines, the better it is for patients and the broader healthcare system'
Paramedics will be able to administer more types of diagnostic tests such as blood testing and ultrasounds to improve access to health care for people in rural Alberta, the province announced Thursday.
The tests can help determine a wide variety of medical conditions, including whether a patient has an infection or is suffering from a heart attack.
"This change allows [paramedics] to use their skills more widely and treat more people, both in emergency situations and on non-urgent calls," Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said in a news release.
The change is made possible by transferring the governance of the paramedic profession from the Health Disciplines Act to the Health Professions Act.
The change will also allow paramedics working in the Community Paramedic Program to conduct more medical tests in a patient's home and provide medication to a patient until they can get to their community pharmacy.
Alberta's chief paramedic said by offering more care in the community, paramedics can help reduce pressure on emergency departments.
"We know that the more we can do on the front lines, the better it is for patients and the broader healthcare system," Darren Sandbeck said.
The new regulation also allows paramedics to collaborate and work directly with nurse practitioners, creating a more integrated health-care system, said Deb Gordon, chief health operations officer at Alberta Health Services.
"This change helps AHS better integrate EMS into the health system, by using their experience and skills in different ways to help us provide patients with the best health care possible," she said.