Kawartha Lakes Paramedics Set Ambitious 2026 Response Goals

The Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service (KLPS) is implementing new measures to enhance emergency care delivery as it prepares for 2026. During a council meeting on August 26, 2023, Deputy Chief Jamie Golden presented the service’s Response Time Performance Plan. This initiative aims to improve response times for urgent medical calls, particularly for critical situations such as sudden cardiac arrests and other high-priority emergencies.

“Every second counts when someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest or severe trauma,” Mr. Golden stated during the presentation. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that residents receive rapid and professional care when they need it most. The service has already surpassed some of its benchmarks, with paramedics reaching patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrests within six minutes almost 40% of the time in 2024, well above the provincial target of 25%.

The KLPS is closely monitoring response times for various emergency calls through the Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS), setting specific targets for CTAS levels 1 to 5. Despite an increase in demand, several initiatives have significantly improved response times. The addition of four full-time paramedics last year has boosted coverage in Lindsay. Furthermore, deployment strategies like mobile ambulance posts and reallocating crews to high-demand areas contribute to quicker responses across the municipality.

Innovative Programs Enhance Efficiency

New hospital and community programs are also pivotal in enhancing service efficiency. The Designated Offload Nurse Program helps paramedics transfer patients quickly from ambulances to emergency departments, thus minimizing delays. Additionally, the Fit2Sit program, in collaboration with Ross Memorial Hospital, allows non-urgent patients to be treated or monitored without occupying emergency resources.

The Community Paramedic Program plays a crucial role by providing home visits, preventative care, and follow-ups, which help reduce repeat emergency calls. “Working closely with our hospital and community partners allows us to serve residents more efficiently and safely,” stated KLPS Chief Sara Johnston.

Mayor Doug Elmslie highlighted the significance of these efforts in ensuring residents receive timely assistance. “Paramedics are often the first, and sometimes the only lifeline for people in emergencies. It’s reassuring to know that our service is not only meeting provincial targets but exceeding them in critical cases,” he remarked.

Looking Ahead: Monthly Performance Monitoring

KLPS plans to maintain a rigorous review of its performance on a monthly basis. This includes analyzing call volumes, response times, and patient outcomes to ensure continuous improvement. With the impending rollout of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) across the province, the service anticipates that new dispatch protocols will further enhance operational efficiency.

By focusing on these ambitious goals and innovative practices, the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service is committed to providing quality emergency care to its residents, ensuring they receive the support they need in critical moments.