Douglas Residence: Urgences Santé Explains Its Services

With 830 paramedics, 165 vehicles (which includes 125 ambulances), Urgences Santé covers the islands of Montreal and Laval and handles an average of 900 calls and 540 transports a day. Its mandate, explained spokesperson Daniel Levesque, is to offer pre-hospital emergency care, assure an appropriate and effective intervention, and maintain a reliable, proven communications centre.

Upon feeling some medical distress, you should call 9-1-1 before contacting family members. The emergency centre directs your call to Urgences Santé that only wants the exact location for the ambulance to go, what’s the medical condition, and the contact telephone number. The caller is urged to remain calm to save precious time, Levesque advised. The information is sent to the nearest ambulance – all of which has a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Before their arrival, you are urged to put on your outside light, keep your entrance and hallway clear of any furniture and objects, and put any pets in another, closed room – all to allow easy access and save precious seconds.

People are also advised to prepare your medications, medicare and hospital cards, and a minimal of clothing, said the other spokesperson Richard Bossé. Some people may then refuse to go to the hospital, but they aren’t charged for the service if they’re given treatment at home.

The transport cost is $125 plus $1.75 for each kilometre travelled. However, the service is free for those over 65, welfare recipients, veterans, children, and those involved in a vehicular accident or the victim of a crime.

When asked if the person has the choice of hospital or health centre to go to, Bossé replied that they cannot refuse a transport. In many cases, the paramedics don’t make the decision since it often depends on which emergency room is least busy and on the gravity of the person’s condition.

You are also urged to pick up a small bottle that contains a booklet with all information about your medications and medical conditions, your doctor’s name and telephone number, and a photocopy of your health-insurance card. “The more information, the better,” Bossé said. You should also keep all of your medication close by at all times.

Being the first time that Urgences Santé has visited, Douglas resident Steve Volgyi said it was informative and helpful information for elderly persons since they can sometimes get confused about what to do.