Ever wondered how healthcare providers can cut down on long ER wait times? Picture a bustling emergency room filled with patients anxiously waiting for care, overwhelmed staff trying to keep up, and a system feeling the strain.
Did you know that community paramedicine programs have shown a 26% reduction in emergency department visits through innovative mobile medical solutions?
At MoveMobility, we understand the urgency and frustration these challenges bring to healthcare providers. For over 20 years, we’ve been leaders in creating mobile medical vehicles that enhance healthcare accessibility. We help people help people, and our mission is to break down barriers and save lives by bringing essential medical services directly to communities.
In this article, we’ll delve into how mobile medical vehicles can effectively tackle the challenge of ER wait times. We’ll share real-world stats and information demonstrating these vehicles’ impact. By the end, you’ll see why investing in a mobile medical vehicle can ease the strain on ER wait times and improve patient care and community health.
How long are ER wait times in Canada?
Have you ever wondered how long patients wait in emergency rooms across Canada? In November of 2023, Ontario Health reported an average wait time of 22 hours. Shockingly, only 23% of patients were admitted within eight hours.
In Nova Scotia, one doctor said his ER was at 360% of its normal capacity. This overcrowding makes wait times even longer and puts a lot of pressure on healthcare workers.
These numbers show a big problem in the Canadian healthcare system. Long ER wait times can affect how well patients recover and put a strain on hospitals. Finding new ways to reduce these wait times is really important for improving healthcare for everyone.
Why are ER wait times so long?
ER wait times are long in Canada for a few reasons:
Not enough primary care doctors: About 6.5 million people don’t have a doctor in Canada. Even for those who do, almost one-third find it really hard to get appointments quickly. This means a lot of people end up going to the emergency room for things that aren’t emergencies. This makes ERs crowded and causes longer waits for everyone.
Doctors feeling overworked: Overcrowded emergency rooms cause doctors in Canada to experience a lot of stress due to long hours. Many are also burdened with a ton of paperwork and administrative tasks. This stress leads to burnout, where doctors feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Some even leave their jobs early or retire sooner than expected. This shortage of doctors makes it harder to keep ERs running smoothly.
Not enough hospital beds: Hospitals often have more patients than beds. This means that when someone needs to stay in the hospital after visiting the ER, they have to wait a long time for a bed to become available. This delay keeps the ER busy and makes the wait times longer for others who need urgent care.
Too much administrative work: About 75% of doctors spend a lot of time doing paperwork instead of helping patients directly. This administrative burden takes away time that could be spent treating patients in the ER quickly and effectively.
What is the solution to reducing ER wait times?
Mobile health clinics, like the community paramedicine programs in Ontario, are doing a lot to help people get quicker care without going to the emergency room. Let’s break down how they’re making a big difference:
In Ontario, almost all paramedic services (92%) run community paramedicine programs. These programs bring medical attention right to where people live. Last year alone, they helped over 56,000 people with different health needs.
These programs have grown from basic services like visiting homes to check on patients or helping them after leaving the hospital, to more advanced things like monitoring patients remotely or helping them right after they leave the hospital. The goal is to keep people healthier and reduce the number of times they need to go to the emergency room.
Real-Life Examples
Here are some real-life examples showing how mobile medical vehicles are making healthcare more accessible and reducing emergency room visits:
County of Simcoe Paramedic Service
Objective: Reduce 9-1-1 calls and improve primary care in Simcoe County.
Impact:
- 60% of referrals led to increased home care services.
- 75% of unscheduled visits avoided an ER trip.
- Partnered with local health providers for direct referrals.
- Estimated cost savings of $175,280 in 2018 alone.
Niagara Emergency Medical Services
Objective: Enhance response to mental health crises.
Impact:
- Despite more calls, the program reduced mental health transports to ERs by 5%.
- Provides follow-up visits after overdoses, reducing hospital visits.
Champlain LHIN
Objective: Prevent influenza-related ER visits.
Impact:
- Administered flu shots to 3,400+ patients, preventing over 2,400 ER visits.
- Managed influenza cases in retirement homes, reducing emergency calls.
What researchers found
Researchers at Queen’s University studied these programs and found some big benefits:
- 26% fewer calls to 9-1-1.
- 26% fewer visits to the emergency room.
- 32% fewer times people had to stay in the hospital.
- 41% fewer times people had to return to the hospital after being sent home.
These changes mean the healthcare system saved a lot of money—over $29 million among 2,333 patients. For each person in these programs, that’s about $7,279 saved on healthcare costs every year. That’s a big deal for making sure people get the care they need without putting too much pressure on hospitals.
Ready to reduce ER wait times?
Check out the video below for a closer look at how mobile medical vans can reduce ER wait times.
You likely landed on this article looking for solutions to reduce ER wait times and improve healthcare access.
Through this journey, you’ve learned how mobile medical vehicles, like those offered by MoveMobility, can effectively alleviate pressure on emergency rooms.
At MoveMobility, we’re dedicated to pioneering mobile healthcare solutions that redefine accessibility and patient care. With over two decades of experience, we continue to lead the industry by innovating vehicles that save lives and improve healthcare delivery.
If you’re ready to explore how our mobile medical vehicles can transform your healthcare services and reduce ER wait times, click the button below to connect with a mobility expert. We’re here to support your organization’s mission of providing timely, accessible healthcare.
If you’re not yet ready to speak with an expert, you should check out a couple of other resources to learn more about healthcare mobility solutions.
Check out our article on the advantages of mobile medical vans. This will help you see their potential for your organization.
After that, read our article on the mobile medical equipment you can install in mobile health clinics. This will give you a better idea of what types of healthcare you can perform in them.
