The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is testing a new way to treat Emergency Department patients who may otherwise delay getting treatment.
A new Virtual Emergency Department can provide urgent care if you don’t have a family doctor or can’t see one right away.
Dr. Bradley Jacobsen is the Chief of Emergency and Trauma Services at the Regional hospital, and explains you can now book same-day or next-day appointments through the hospital’s website.
Dr. Jacobson says it’s for urgent but not life- or limb-threatening concerns like mild skin infections, urinary tract infections, minor joint injuries, and some prescription renewals.
Dr. Jacobsen adds it was created because of a large drop in Emergency Department visits.
“The theory was that people were not going for fear of exposure to COVID, which has led to some people showing up sicker to the Emergency Department,” he says.
Lisa Beck is the Program Director for Emergency, Trauma, and Critical Care, and explains because patients will be connected with a physician via phone or video call, it’s different than Telehealth services.
“If a patient required an X-ray or a laboratory test, they would be provided with a requisition, or they would be directed to go to one of the LifeLabs as an example, to go and get their blood test,” she explains.
The Virtual Emergency Department is running as a six-month pilot project, and will be evaluated throughout that time.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 12:00 pm and 5:45 pm and take place through secure video chat.
