Critical care video consults

Patient privacy is paramount and the GoodSAM app ensures secure transmission of all video content.

We are currently trialing critical care video consults from our Alberta bases, which service all of Alberta as well as three southeast BC locations (Fernie, Cranbrook and Golden). We anticipate rolling it out in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the future.

The GoodSAM app is a proven technology and was selected based on its reliability, features, security and IT support.

STARS does not charge to access this service.

You will be connected to the first available on-call transport physician.

No app is needed, you will receive a link directly from the STARS ELC, and you simply click the link to start the video consult.

Video consults are intended for critical patients requiring transport, even if STARS does not transport them. Rural physicians are welcome to initiate a video consult through the STARS Emergency Link Centre and access transport physician knowledge at any time.

Better transport decision making. Being able to see the patient provides critical information to transport physicians and air medical crews. It helps them ensure patients are allocated the best transport team and modality. The transport phase of a patient’s care journey can be the most hazardous aspect, and having access to more information is invaluable. As the adage goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and video consultation will not only help us know which patients need our help, but also determine which patients can be transported safely by other means when system resources are limited.

Remote critical care medical support. It may not be an option to transport a critically ill patient; critical care video consults provide advice to local medical professionals in a way that is more interactive and supportive of patient care.

Please email videoconsults@stars.ca for further questions.