Emergency departments in Mississauga and Brampton are among 26 hospitals across Ontario selected for a new provincial program aimed at reducing wait times and relieving pressure on healthcare facilities.
The Ontario government announced on Wednesday (Oct. 7) that it will invest over $47 million over the next four years to create an Emergency Department Action Team (EDAT). This team will collaborate with specific hospitals to pinpoint issues, enhance patient flow, and develop strategies to provide quicker care.
Hospital sites in Mississauga and Brampton are part of this initiative, according to INSAUGA Canada.
Brampton Civic Hospital and Etobicoke General Hospital, both part of the William Osler Health System, along with Credit Valley Hospital and Mississauga Hospital from Trillium Health Partners, are included in the project.
This initiative comes as the province recognizes ongoing pressures on emergency departments due to rising patient numbers, more serious conditions, and increased demands on the healthcare system.
The EDAT will work alongside these selected hospitals to analyze how patients navigate through emergency services-from their first assessment and testing to admission or discharge.
The team aims to identify reasons for delays so they can streamline processes and improve patient throughput within the system.
The province states that these 26 hospitals were chosen based on factors like emergency department volumes and potential improvements that could benefit many patients. They also considered operational metrics, performance indicators, as well as diversity among different types of hospitals and regions.
This initiative builds upon efforts made last fall at five emergency department locations managed by The Ottawa Hospital, Windsor Regional Hospital, and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
During the first phase, they identified operational issues as well as workforce-related challenges impacting delays in patient care. They also discussed changes that could help patients move faster through assessment, diagnostics, admission, and discharge processes.
According to the province, those findings will now guide efforts at the 26 hospitals involved in this second phase.
For Mississauga and Brampton specifically, this means that four local hospital sites will undergo a detailed review of where delays happen and what adjustments can be made to enhance patient flow through their emergency departments.
The province adds that other hospitals not directly involved in this second phase will still gain from this initiative since tools, resources, and insights gained will be shared throughout the healthcare network.
The EDAT will be led by Dr. Abdel-Rahman Lawendy, an orthopedic surgeon and researcher from London, Ontario.
“Improving access to timely emergency care remains a priority for Ontario’s health system,” said Deputy Minister of Health Deborah Richardson along with Ontario Health CEO Matthew Anderson in a memo addressed to hospital CEOs and board chairs.
They noted that emergency departments across the province are continuing to deal with increasing patient volumes along with higher acuity levels requiring more complex care needs.
The government emphasizes that this new team will focus on actionable changes aimed at enhancing patient flow while minimizing delays.
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