LINK‑ED pilot launches: What it means for rural communities

This week, Interior Health is bringing in a new virtual care pilot, IH LINK-ED, to emergency departments in Lillooet, Clearwater, Nakusp and Princeton.

IH LINK-ED blends in person care with virtual physician support, so people living in these communities can count on having more reliable access to emergency departments overnight. The benefits to patients are same quality care, fewer service interruptions and no long travel unless specialized care is needed.

How does it work?

• When patients walk into an ED, an emergency-trained nurse will determine the level of care needed.
• The nurse may connect with a doctor in another community through a secure video or phone call to review patient condition and guide the treatment
• If patients need rapid, hands-on care, a local doctor is always on standby in each community and can come to the hospital to help

Care teams will ease into the new model by trying it out a few nights each week, while keeping regular in person coverage on the other nights. The plan is to build up gradually, with full seven day a week implementation expected in the new year.

To learn more, visit: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/media/interior-health-link-ed-pilot-project-begins

To sign up for updates, or or submit your feedback/questions, visit: https://engageih.ca/link-ed