The Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital Emergency Department will be without an onsite physician overnight Monday. AHS says due to a continued shortage of personnel and no temporary coverage available, the ED will be without an onsite doctor from 9 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
During this time, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed.
Virtual Emergency Physician coverage may be available for all or part of this service advisory. The Virtual Emergency Physician program uses an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support. Site clinical staff can connect with an AHS physician by telephone or videoconference for ED patients with non-life-threatening issues. This off-site virtual physician can collaborate with local staff, speak with patients, order tests and medications, and transfer or discharge patients.
