Virtual Emergency Care

The Virtual Emergency Room Care brings remote emergency care doctors to virtually support emergency services in select Newfoundland and Labrador communities.

A Virtual Emergency Room operates much like a traditional emergency department. In communities with this service in place, you may be seen by a nurse or clinician in-person, and you may then be connected to a virtual ER doctor via a remote device. The virtual ER doctor will work closely with your on-site nurse and other clinicians who will use remote technology to recreate an in-person patient/doctor experience. Together, they will determine a diagnosis and necessary treatment.

While Virtual Emergency Room care that connects patients to larger hospitals in Newfoundland and Labrador already exists in some hospitals, this program is the first-of-its-kind in the province, connecting patients to experienced NL-licensed virtual emergency care doctors residing outside of the province to add capacity to the health-care system. This type of service has successfully been implemented in other provinces across the country.

Locations and Hours

Virtual Emergency Room will first launch at Dr. Y. K. Jeon Kittiwake Health Centre in New-Wes-Valley (formerly the Brookfield Health Centre).

The program will extend to other rural and remote health-care centres. Locations will be updated on this webpage as the service expands.

FAQs

• How does a Virtual Emergency Room work?

  Virtual ER doctors will work closely with on-site emergency room nurses and other clinicians using technology that recreates an in-person patient/doctor experience. Via a remote device, patients can have a conversation with the virtual ER doctor, and if a physical examination is needed, the doctor will collaborate with the on-site nurse or clinician to conduct assessments. Together, the virtual ER doctor and on-site team will determine a diagnosis and necessary treatment, including blood work and prescriptions, and follow-up with other local experts, as required.

  The devices include a high-definition camera to conduct examinations, a four-speaker audio system for clear dialogue and to listen to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs through a stethoscope, and the ability to upload medical records or images for virtual physicians to review.

• Do I need to register for Virtual Emergency Rooms?

  No. A Virtual ER will be available at select sites; your closest emergency room may or may not be using the Virtual Emergency Room service. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 go to your nearest .

   

   

   

• How can emergencies be treated virtually?

  Many visits to the ER are urgent, but not life-threatening, such as a sprained wrist, urinary tract infection, cuts and bruises or an ear infection, which can be assessed virtually, in partnership with an in-person nurse.

  In the few cases where the health centre is not equipped with the necessary technical capabilities, such as diagnostic equipment, or a medical doctor is required for in-person treatment, patients will be transferred to a full-service hospital, just as they are today.

• Who is providing this service?

  This service is offered by the NL Health Services and is operated by Teladoc Health Canada.