Call 911 in Medical Emergencies, Advises Province's Paramedics

Nova Scotians can receive better care sooner and improve safety by calling 911 during medical emergencies.

"We're concerned by the number of people driving themselves, or a loved one, to an EHS ambulance base or the hospital instead of calling 911," said Tim Bayers, senior manager provincial operations and deployment, Emergency Health Services. "If the patient's condition worsens, you can't care for yourself or someone else while driving, and it could be difficult for paramedics to find you if you're on the move, given there are multiple routes to a hospital."

Because the driver may be distracted, there is a risk to the safety of the driver, the patient and the public, Mr. Bayers said.

Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson, a paramedic for many years, said in a medical emergency, call 911, stay put and wait for paramedics to arrive.

"Listen to and follow instructions from the medical communications officers," Mr. Wilson said. "That way emergency staff can take critical, potentially life-saving steps that cannot happen if you drive yourself, or someone else, to the hospital."

Driving to the hospital in a medical emergency can also delay emergency care. As well as not being in contact with a 911 operator, EHS paramedics could be responding to a call, and not be at the base to receive a patient.

The government is making ambulances more accessible to Nova Scotians, by waiving fees for many people on low incomes and lowering fees for those living in licensed long-term care facilities or with reduced mobility.

911 operators are highly trained emergency medical communications officers who can provide important instructions and pass patient's information to paramedics.

People should call 911 when:

• a patient's condition is a threat to their life or a limb
• a patient's condition could worsen on the way to hospital
• moving the patient could cause further injury
• the patient would benefit from the care and treatment of paramedics

The province's Better Care Sooner plan has launched several programs to ensure Nova Scotians get the emergency care they need, when they need it.

• Many people living on low incomes can have ambulance fees waived under a new Ambulance Fee Assistance Program. Those who need to be transported from nursing homes and residential care facilities to hospital now pay $50 instead of $134.52. Those unable to travel by conventional vehicle and need an ambulance to get to medically necessary appointments, now pay $100, down from $168.14. Most Nova Scotians with a valid health card pay $134.52 for emergency transport to a hospital.
• The RESTORE program helps heart attack patients receive faster, potentially life-saving treatments.
• The Extended Care Paramedic Project offers seniors in Halifax Regional Municipality nursing homes emergency care at their bedsides.
• Community paramedicine programs, such as collaborative emergency centres, are allowing people in rural communities to access primary health care services through paramedics and nurse practitioners, in collaboration with off-site physicians.
• Through the MedicAlert Interchange Project, paramedics can access and update a patient's MedicAlert record, to obtain critical data such as allergy, medication, and physician information.

Nova Scotia's Emergency Health Services system is internationally recognized as a leader in pre-hospital care.