English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Rural emergency departments (EDs) are important safety nets for 20% of Canadian citizens. In Quebec, the province’s 26 rural EDs treat an average of 19,000 patients/year and are on average 300 km from levels 1 and 2 trauma centers. These distances signify that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play a considerable role in the care of rural patients. EMS in Quebec province are private local services. There are no published reports on EMS in rural Quebec. As part of a larger study on rural emergency care, this descriptive study aimed at offering a comprehensive portrait of EMS.  Methods:  We conducted semi-structured interviews with managers of all paramedic services in rural Quebec. Interview questions focused on number of transports, training, availability of telemetry, GPS technologies, and work schedules.  Results:  Fifty managers of the 51 private companies serving the 26 rural EDs in Quebec were interviewed (response rate 98%). All were primary care paramedics (PCP). In 2010, EMS transported 40,671 patients, with 10,228 emergency transports to the rural EDs. A total of 7956 inter-facility transfers were conducted, 1499 of them emergency. Each ED required between 88 and 700 inter-facility transfers. A total of 60% (n=31/51) had GPS technology, only 25% (n=13/51) had telemetry features. Work schedules varied with 13% (n=7/51) of companies offering shifts of less than 12 hours, 28% (n=14/51) 24/7 weekly shifts, and 56% (n=29/51) a combination.  Conclusion:  This is the first study to describe rural EMS in Quebec. The finding that Quebec’s rural EDs are served by 51 privately-owned companies is unique in Canada. The considerable number of EMS transports, including inter-facility transfers, may reflect lack of local resources in rural EDs, the vulnerable population served, or the increased trauma risk in rural areas. Future studies should examine inter-facility transport reasons, costs, times and adequate training/scope of EMS practice.

MP013: A portrait of rural pre-hospital services in the province of Québec