Sault Area Hospital Cuts Ambulance Offload Delays Significantly

Ambulance offload delays at Sault Area Hospital have seen a significant reduction following a collaborative effort between the hospital and local paramedic services. This initiative aims to address a longstanding issue that had kept paramedics tied up with patients instead of responding to emergency calls.

According to Mike Nadeau, CEO of the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), the situation was critical. “There were times when there were no ambulances on the road from Wawa to the Sault. This is really, really important,” he stated during a recent board meeting. Offload delays occur when paramedics are unable to transfer patient care to hospital staff upon arrival at the emergency department, at times resulting in paramedics waiting alongside patients for hours.

This delay not only affects patient care but also prevents paramedics from attending to new emergencies. The DSSAB has identified improving these delays as a key risk-reduction strategy. For years, various approaches were explored to alleviate the problem, which often resulted in paramedics spending hundreds of hours each month in the emergency department.

A pivotal development in this initiative was the introduction of the offload nurse program in 2023. Funded by the provincial government, this program provides dedicated offload nurses to facilitate patient admissions in the Emergency Department, enabling paramedics to return to their duties more swiftly. Earlier this year, Paramedic Chief Katie Kirkham indicated that a report from the consultancy firm Optimus SBR would be expected in September, aiming to provide recommendations for improving emergency services.

The report from Optimus SBR offered a comprehensive analysis of emergency department operations, patient flow, and systemic challenges within the health-care framework. Recommendations included establishing a formal offload escalation plan and enhancing alignment in processes and data management. These measures are designed to ensure that emergency care is readily available to the community at critical times.

Progress has already been noted since implementing these recommendations. Recent data revealed that in November 2025, only nine patients experienced offload delays exceeding 30 minutes, a striking contrast to 228 patients facing similar delays in November 2024. The average offload time has decreased from 36 minutes to just over 10 minutes, with the 90th-percentile offload time improving to 14 minutes, well below the provincial target.

“This reduction in ambulance offload delays means paramedics can get back on the road faster and be there when residents need them most,” stated Stephanie Pagnucco, chair of the DSSAB, in a recent press release. She acknowledged that while there remains more work to be done, the advancements made highlight the significance of collaboration and data-driven decision-making in enhancing local emergency services.

Innovative approaches, such as a virtual home waiting room pilot and dedicated patient flow roles, have also played a role in improving patient care while ensuring paramedics can return to their communities without delay. “While we are seeing meaningful improvements, we continue to focus on further enhancing emergency department flow to reduce wait times for all patients,” noted Mindy Lindstedt, vice-president of clinical operations and chief nursing executive at Sault Area Hospital.

The DSSAB and Sault Area Hospital are committed to implementing the remaining recommendations from the Optimus SBR report, reinforcing their dedication to ensuring that emergency services are accessible when the community needs them most.