Photo Courtesy EGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

ED Closures

Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital ED piloting new AHS initiative

Jan 21, 2025 | 6:00 AM

A Peace region hospital is a part of Alberta Health Services’ newest pilot project to “help improve support in emergency departments.”

The Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital will now pilot the new Virtual Emergency Physician Program; designed to connect patients with non-life-threatening injuries, to a virtual AHS physician, during times when an on-site physician is not available.

The virtual physician will then collaborate with staff on hand to diagnose patients, order tests and medications, along with transferring and discharging patients.

According to AHS’s North Zone medical director, “If patients have life-threatening issues, we have plans in place to get them the care they need through the support of EMS and surrounding facilities.”

Beaverlodge will now join three other “rural/northern” hospitals in piloting this project; the Elk Point Healthcare Centre, Hinton Healthcare Centre and Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre.

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At this time, AHS is currently recruiting doctors to work as virtual physicians for the pilot, as needed.

The pilot is in effect as of yesterday, (Monday, January 20) and AHS wants to make residents aware that if an emergency department disruption takes place at the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital, AHS will make it known to the public if a virtual physician is available.