Fatigue, staffing and system-wide capacity can delay ambulance transfers out of Lloydminster, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
In written responses to questions from The Border Pulse, a communications specialist with the SHA outlined when and why inter-facility transfers may not proceed immediately.
“The Saskatchewan Health Authority is committed to providing high quality, safe and accessible care to the people of Saskatchewan,” the communications specialist said.
“Province-wide, ambulances respond to emergency calls and complete medically necessary interfacility transfers, including those requiring long-distance transport when clinically appropriate.”
At the same time, the SHA confirmed long-distance transfers depend on several operational factors.
“At all times, patient and paramedic safety is paramount,” the communications specialist said.
“Long distance inter-facility transfers take into account many variables.”
Fatigue, other factors can mean transfers can be delayed
The SHA said those variables may include delaying a transfer until a rested crew is available. Fatigue does play a role in their overall decision making.
“Delaying the transfer until a rested (‘fresh’) crew is available” is one option, the communications specialist said.
Other measures may include “assigning an additional paramedic to the transfer” or “meeting another ambulance at a predetermined location for the transfer.”
The SHA also confirmed that ground ambulance services may decline or delay transfers in certain situations.
“A ground ambulance service may decline or delay a transfer for reasons including: resources are responding to other emergency events; inclement or unsafe weather/road conditions; fatigue management considerations; required decontamination and cleaning of the unit before transporting another patient; the need for crew debriefing or access to wellness supports,” the communications specialist said.
If a transfer is declined
When asked whether there are consequences if a transfer is declined, the SHA pointed to contractual obligations.
“Ambulance operators are contracted to provide a specific number of staffed ambulance crews,” the communications specialist said.
“If an operator consistently fails to meet contractual obligations, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has mechanisms within the service agreement and under The Ambulance Act to address performance concerns.”
If a local service cannot complete a transfer, Saskatchewan’s Medical Communications and Coordination Centres step in.
“If a transfer cannot be completed by an ambulance service, the Medical Communications and Coordination Centres will assign the transfer to another available ambulance service to ensure continuity of care,” the communications specialist said.
“The MCCCs coordinate provincial ambulance deployment to balance patient needs with system-wide capacity and community coverage.”
Return transfers not unique to Lloydminster
The SHA said Lloydminster is not uniquely required to transport patients long distances and retrieve them.
“Return transfers are routinely assigned to the ambulance service that provides ground ambulance services in the community where the patient is being repatriated to,” the communications specialist said.
“If that service is unavailable, the transfer may either be delayed until resources become available or reassigned by the MCCC to another ambulance service. This process is consistent across Saskatchewan.”
The SHA added that in rural areas, interfacility transfers are categorized to ensure appropriate prioritization and resource allocation.
For families waiting on critical transfers, however, those operational decisions can mean delays while crews, coverage and fatigue rules are balanced across the province.
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