The Cochrane District EMS has seen a progressive increase in call volumes across the district since 2018, according to data.
Timmins and Cochrane are the areas most impacted, said Jean Carriere, the chief paramedic for the Cochrane District EMS, of the data presented at the Sept. 21 Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) meeting.
Taking a look at the data helps EMS leaders customize services to meet the needs of each area.
“The data reveals a two-fold challenge: Not only are paramedic teams facing increased activity per shift, but the medical urgency of patients has also escalated compared to five years ago,” wrote Carriere in his report.
While Cochrane has seen the highest percentage increase in the number of emergency calls, Timmins is experiencing the most significant impact, according to the report.
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The breakdown of calls is:
Cochrane
- Emergency calls received: 600 in 2018 to 858 in 2022, an increase of 43 per cent
- Cancelled calls: 64 in 2018 to 150 in 2022, an increase of 134 per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 419 in 2018 to 578 in 2022, an increase of 38 per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 221 in 2018 to 316 in 2022, an increase of 43 percent
Hearst
- Emergency calls received: 724 in 2018 to 644 in 2022, a decrease of 11 per cent
- Cancelled calls: 90 in 2018 to 105 in 2022, an increase of 17 per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 491 in 2018 to 362 in 2022, a decrease of 26 per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 264 in 2018 to 248 in 2022, a decrease of six per cent.
Iroquois Falls
- Emergency calls received: 512 in 2018 to 566 in 2022, an increase of 11 per cent
- Cancelled calls: 73 in 2018 to 78 in 2022, an increase of seven per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 341 in 2018 to 403 in 2022, an increase of 18 per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 141 in 2018 to 184 in 2022, an increase of 30 per cent
Kapuskasing
- Emergency calls received: 1,209 in 2018 to 1,291 in 2022, an increase of seven per cent
- Cancelled calls: 150 in 2018 to 200 in 2022, an increase of 33 per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 790 in 2018 to 798 in 2022, an increase of one per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 478 in 2018 to 491 in 2022, an increase of three per cent
Matheson
- Emergency calls received: 237 in 2018 to 282 in 2022, an increase of 19 per cent
- Cancelled calls: 40 in 2018 to 72 in 2022, an increase of 80 per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 160 in 2018 to 172 in 2022, an increase of eight per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 86 in 2018 to 91 in 2022, an increase of six per cent
Smooth Rock Falls
- Emergency calls received: 237 in 2018 to 203 in 2022, a decrease of 14 per cent
- Cancelled calls: 25 in 2018 to 37 in 2022, an increase of 48 per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 142 in 2018 to 119 in 2022, a decrease of 16 per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 86 in 2018 to 76 in 2022, a decrease of 12 per cent
Timmins
- Emergency calls received: 5,580 in 2018 to 6,609 in 2022, an increase of 18 per cent
- Cancelled calls: 993 in 2018 to 1,445 in 2022, an increase of 37 per cent
- Return to hospital (code three and four): 3,274 in 2018 to 3,852 in 2022, an increase of 18 per cent
- Calls after 7 p.m.: 2,173 in 2018 to 2,606 in 2022, an increase of 20 per cent
Carriere said the increase in cancelled calls, particularly district-wide — which was a total of 46 per cent — is a concern as they consume nearly as much time as completed calls, noting that the reasons for the cancellations should be further explored.
With an increase in returns to the hospital, it could potentially indicate that patients are in more critical conditions than before, or that there are more complications post-hospitalization, Carriere said.
Due to the general trend across most communities being an increase in call volumes in various categories, this ultimately indicates a higher workload for paramedic crews.
