Emergency Medical Advice and Telemedicine Support for the Canadian Coast Guard on board vessels

The objective of the CCG Health Officers program is to provide a health service based on preventive care, primary health care and Occupational Health Care Nursing to the ship's complement aboard Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) CCG Vessels during arctic and scientific voyages in remote areas. This is to be provided by the Contractors Emergency Physicians in a timely matter where they offer their expert medical advice and reporting services to CCG shipboard Health Officers. The overall desired outcome is to reduce the need for medical evacuations by managing the treatment of the patient on board the CCG ships by a trained CCG Health Officers (nurses). This is to be provided by phone and/or internet, where medical advice from Emergency Physicians support CCG Health Officers (nurses) on board CCG ships in remote locations.

Every request (telephone call, electronic chat or email) which is directed to the Contractors’ Emergency Physicians will have to be evaluated, in terms of the scope of practice and clinical assessment skills of the CCG Health Officer managing the medical case. This will then be used as an evaluation of the overall quality care given by our CCG Health Officers. The result of this assessment must be then given to the CCG National Coordinator of the Health Officers program every month at a minimum.