Areas currently served include:
Brampton, Bramalea, North Etobicoke, Malton and West Woodbridge
There is one dedicated phone number to call: 1-888-582-1943
In response to the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on vulnerable people in LTC homes, William Osler Health System (Osler) launched a program to provide fast access to virtual consultations with Medical Specialists and the Nurse Practitioner Led Outreach Team (NLOT) on April 24, 2020.
The Virtual Consultation Program is intended to provide medical support for frail and vulnerable residents in LTC homes who are ill; a virtual consultation can potentially reduce the need for a hospital visit.
When a LTC home contacts Osler at the dedicated number, they will receive a response to a consultation request within 30 minutes. They will have access to:
- Emergency Medicine and Palliative Care: 24/7 Daily
- NLOT Nurse Practitioner (Navigator): 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays); outside of these hours, a voicemail can be left for non-urgent requests, or requests can be emailed to LTC.SpecialistAccess@williamoslerhs.ca
- Mental Health (Critical Incidents, Assessment for Form 1, Suicidal Thoughts, Aggressive Behaviour), Geriatrics: 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday
- General Internal Medicine: 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday
In addition to the NLOT Nurse Practitioner and Osler Specialist virtual consults, the comprehensive approach to support for the LTC residents also includes:
- Osler Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) nurses support seamless movement of LTC residents within Osler hospital sites.
- Pathways for LTC residents to Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology to avoid delays and follow IPAC protocols to assure the safety and limit exposure of LTC residents while visiting Osler
- Enhanced connections with Osler ambulatory clinics to address the needs of the LTC residents, including/not exclusive to blood transfusions, fracture clinic, etc. The Program is new and will expand and change in response to the needs of this community.
- Capacity building via the telephone/virtually to support LTC staff questions and problem solving.
Virtual Visits:
Osler will arrange a secure Zoom meeting and send the invitation link by email or make a telephone call. The LTC home’s most responsible physician (MRP) or appropriate alternate will consult with the Specialist(s) and/or NLOT Nurse Practitioner to recommend the best plan of care.
Osler will set up the Zoom meeting through their secure Enterprise version (PHIPA compliant). Training materials for Zoom are available from Osler, as well as online training from the Zoom application.
Advance Preparation by LTC Home:
To participate in the Virtual Consultation Program, we ask that the designated callers from your organization (e.g., Medical Director, physician, charge nurse, Director of Care or alternate) learn how to use Zoom. This is the preferred virtual care channel.
Ideally, the LTC home will have access to Apple iPads, equivalent tablets or cell phones with a camera to help conduct virtual visual examinations. The devices must be equipped with both sound and a camera.
Alternatively, Osler will set up a phone call for the consultation. However, this will preclude a virtual visual examination, if required.
Quick guide to using the Virtual Consultation Program: 1-888-582-1943
Resources for Long-Term Care Homes
Long-Term Care Support Program: Nurse Practitioner-Led Outreach Team (NLOT), Mobile Enhancement Support Team (MEST), Infection Prevention and Control Hub (IPAC Hub)
Three teams in alignment to provide seamless support to Long-Term Care (LTC) Retirement Home (RH) and congregate settings
IPAC Hub:
A key area for Ontario’s COVID-19 preparedness strategy focuses on protecting vulnerable populations, particularly in long-term care, retirement home and congregate settings by building IPAC capacity in these settings and improving access to IPAC supports.
Hospitals have been asked to assume the role and title of IPAC Hub, and to work in parallel with programs already established with our local Public Health Unit, Public Health Ontario and Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) IPAC-Extenders to support community congregate settings.
The role of IPAC Hubs is to provide regional IPAC guidance for local implementation and sustainability planning, in partnership with congregate community settings such as LTC homes, retirement homes and others (e.g. group homes, supportive housing and shelters).
The IPAC Hub team will strengthen current and develop new partnerships to identify IPAC training and practice needs. The Hub is a source of advanced IPAC guidance and leadership, including on-demand expert information, advice and consultation and to assist congregate settings in establishing and maintaining a functional and sustainable IPAC program.
Request IPAC Hub Service for the Central West Catchment Area:
- Please contact your CWLHIN Relationship Manager to initiate a referral; or
- Contact Hub directly: LTC-Support-Intake@williamoslerhs.ca
MEST (Mobile Enhancement Support Team), NLOT (Nurse Practitioner Led Outreach Team):
Ontario Health is taking a proactive approach to ensure that enhanced supports are available for LTC homes and other congregate settings. MESTs have been created to collaborate with LTC home and congregate setting leadership to support their immediate clinical needs. Brampton Etobicoke Ontario Health Team (BE OHT) MEST proactively supports LTC homes and other congregate settings to ensure the safety of this highly vulnerable population and reflects the current needs of the area.
The BE OHT MEST team works collaboratively with the established NLOT to provide support; these teams are a proactive response to support long-term care homes, retirement homes, and congregate settings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The team offers capacity building within congregate settings through enhanced support of resources and expertise, support prevention, rescue, and recovery efforts to ensure successful transitions.
Request MEST Service for the Central West Catchment Area:
- Please contact your CWLHIN Relationship Manager to initiate a referral; or
- Contact MEST directly: LTC-Support-Intake@williamoslerhs.ca
Please check the CCRC Reviews page for further information. Particularly relevant are as follows:
