title: Extramural Pilot Project: Designated On-Call Intensivist in Tertiary Care Centre Improves Access to Critical Care Consultation/Referral and Resources.
abstract: Timely consultation with an intensivist will promote early and appropriate management of critically ill patients. We determined whether implementing a call roster of intensivists who did not have on-call responsibilities in an intensive care unit (ICU) and who received referrals from community physicians would improve access to critical care services. This program created efficiencies to critical care services by: timely access to consultation with an intensivist (<10 minutes) and/or subspecialist, timely referral to an appropriate institution (<30 minutes) and optimal resource utilization by determining the availability of ICU beds at non-tertiary care hospitals capable of providing the care needs of the patient, thus relieving pressure on the neighbouring tertiary/quaternary care centre.
authors.affiliation: Member of Critical Care Western and the Departments of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine and Medicine in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, at the University of Western Ontario, and is a full time intensivist at the London Health Sciences Centre- University Hospital; and is the Critical Care Lead for the South West Local Health Integration Network.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.affiliation: System design integration lead for the South West Local Health Integration Network.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jeffreys
authors.affiliation: Chair, Critical Care Western and chief of Critical Care at London Health Sciences Centre and is a member of the Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, at the University of Western Ontario.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: CEO of the South West Local Health Integration Network, London, Ontario.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Clinical epidemiologist for Critical Care Western in London, Ontario.
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Priestap
authors.affiliation: Works at London Health Sciences Centre as a Senior Project Consultant.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.affiliation: Director of Clinical Strategy and Patient Flow for London Health Sciences Centre.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kojlak
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers