Who does AHS contract Ground Ambulance services to? I thought all ambulances in Alberta were part of AHS.
EMS
in the province of Alberta has a long and successful history of using a blended
model of health authority services and contracted providers. Currently, Ground Ambulance service in
Alberta is provided by a number different organizations including Non-Profit,
Private, First Nations, Fire and Municipal.
What if the current provider in my community decides not to extend? Could my community potentially be left without ambulance services?
There will be no interruption
of ambulance services. AHS will work identify alternate service delivery
options and with contractors who would not like to extend their agreement.
There are two different types
of ambulances (Advanced and Basic) in the province of Alberta as defined under
the Emergency Health Services Act (EHSA). Each type of ambulance has a defined
scope of practice for the type of care they provide.
How is the level of serivce decided in each community?
The level of service of service in each community was
established prior to AHS assuming responsibility for EMS in 2009 at the
municipal level. AHS monitors and evaluates appropriateness of level of service
based on a variety of variables including population, call volume, call type,
unit utilization, and more.
AHS operates EMS on the principle of a borderless
system. Ambulances are centrally dispatched by AHS owned and operated dispatch
centers located in Peace River, Edmonton, and Calgary.
EMS revenue is partially funded by fee for service to
the users of the system. Rates for these fees are charge in accordance with
Emergency Health Services Act (EHSA) and all applicable regulations. The
remainder of the cost for EMS is funded directly through performance based
agreements by AHS.
How does AHS ensure contracted providers are providing equitable services?
All EMS contractors are required to participate in a
contract management program directly overseen by AHS EMS. This program actively
works with contracted partners to ensure services are equitable, sustainable,
and operated in a fiscally responsible manner.
AHS has performance based agreements that have
requirements for adherence to a standard set of medical protocols and quality
management system. These standards and procedures are continuously improved.
Both contracted and health authority EMS practitioners follow these standards
and are closely monitored for compliance.
Additionally the Alberta College of Paramedics (ACP) provides governance
and licensure to the Paramedicine profession in the province of Alberta.
