The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is introducing an Emergency Communication Nurse System (ECNS) to better assess non-emergent 911 patients in both Saskatoon and Regina.

The system will allow 911 dispatch to transfer callers assessed with non-urgent symptoms to trained nurses for additional assessment. The ECNS nurses can then determine if transport to an emergency department is required for the patient or if another care setting would better suit their needs.

The new technology is expected to improve emergency response, ease emergency department capacity pressures, prioritize patients requiring urgent care and improve alignment between patient needs and care options.

The system will be introduced sometime this month.