Alberta paramedics now have access to Connect Care after positive feedback from a summer pilot project.
Connect Care is the electronic records system used throughout the province to manage health information, including lab results, medical imaging, electrocardiograms and medication lists.
Provincial Health Minister Adriana LaGrange called the expansion of Connect Care a “crucial advancement for our emergency medical services.”
“This initiative reflects our commitment to equipping our paramedics with the necessary tools to deliver timely and informed care, ensuring the safety and well-being of Albertans in their most vulnerable moments,” said LaGrange.
As of Jan. 30, paramedics have view-only access, which Alberta Health says will “empower them to make informed clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes during critical moments.”
President of the Alberta Paramedic Association Len Stelmaschuk praised the expansion, noting swift access to additional data can help enhance the care provided.
Alberta Health piloted paramedic access in Medicine Hat and Calgary form June to August 2024. According to the ministry, the summer trial “demonstrated improvements in clinical decision-making and patient safety.”
Alberta EMS responds to approximately 1,350 emergency dispatches per day and provide 174,000 interfacility transfers per year according to data from Sept. 2024.