Emergency Health Services Alberta recently launched its paramedic-led clinical triage model, under which Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) based in Alberta Emergency Communications Centres conduct clinical assessments to support the triage and management of emergency calls.
Following initial 911 call handling, ACPs are connected with lower-acuity callers to conduct a more in-depth assessment and identify appropriate alternative care pathways, reducing demand on emergency resources and emergency departments.
Since launching on May 26, 2026, the clinicians working in dispatch have reviewed close to 6000 emergency calls, representing 8.9% of all 911 demand. Through clinical assessment, 40% were safely referred to alternative care options such as self-care advice, sending alternative response vehicles, primary care referrals, Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH), and taxi transportation, reducing reliance on ground ambulance resources while ensuring the remaining 60% still received an ambulance response when clinically appropriate.
Based on models used in other leading jurisdictions such as Saskatchewan, Niagara Region, Wales and New Zealand, Advanced Care Paramedics are embedded within Alberta’s Central Communications Centre (CCC) and Southern Communications Centre (SCC). They use their clinical expertise and the Emergency Communication Nurse System (ECNS), a structured clinical assessment tool, to triage low-acuity patients.
“Our paramedics in dispatch provide self-care advice and reassurance to callers while confirming clinical acuity and priority, ensuring patients who do require EMS receive an appropriate response,’ says Les Fisher, Managing Director and Chief, EHS Alberta. “Safely identifying cases that can be closed without ambulance dispatch helps keep ambulances available for when they are truly needed.”
Emergency response vehicles will always be available for patients with high-acuity needs and patients with unknown or suspected high-acuity conditions will continue to be transported by ambulance.
The expansion of paramedic-led clinical triage is part of Alberta’s ongoing efforts to improve response times, reduce unnecessary emergency department transport, improve patient flow and strengthen emergency health services across the province.
Emergency Health Services Alberta manages all aspects of the current EMS system, including overseeing and delivering air and ground ambulance services, interfacility transfers and dispatch operations, including EHS services delivered by contracted partners.
