7/21/2019 Overcapacity triggers reach alarming levels in Edmonton Emergency Departments

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Backgrounder- Overcapacity Triggers- Edmonton Zone

What triggers the overcapacity protocols?

Overcapacity protocols may be activated when one or a combination of triggers have been met based

on clinical and administrative assessment of current site risk and ability of the site to respond to the

current situation.

The triggers are:

-

Percentage of blocked emergency department care spaces (due to patients awaiting admission,

diagnostics or consults) exceeds 35 per cent.

AND/OR

-

No emergency department spaces to accommodate incoming patients with conditions that are

threats to life or limb (or imminent risk of deterioration) requiring immediate, aggressive

interventions; conditions that are a potential threat to life limb or function, requiring rapid

medical intervention; or conditions that could potentially progress to a serious problemrequiring emergency intervention.

AND/OR

-

Percentage of emergency department occupancy exceeds 110 per cent.

-

Percentage of inpatient occupancy exceeds 100 per cent.

-

Seven or fewer EMS units available in Calgary or Edmonton; trigger number might be lower in

smaller centres.

-

More than five patients who dont have an owner (number dependent on facility size).

-

More than five patients who have been waiting eight hours or longer for a hospital bed since the

decision was made to admit them (number dependent on facility size).

Alberta Health Services- Overcapacity Protocols Backgrounder- Dec 17, 2010

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/rls/ns-rls-2010-12-17-ocp-backgrounder.pdf