Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS)

RTVS Pathways

RUDi – emergency support

CHARLiE – pediatric support

HEiDi – physician support for 8-1-1

Other clinical pathways (RCCbc.ca)

Learn More

Why RTVS?

Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) offers in-time clinical support to care providers and patients to enhance patient care. Multiple specialized RTVS services (called pathways), have been developed. These pathways are new ways to remotely guide patients’ decisions to go to the ED and to support all levels of practitioners in the care of patients in the emergency department. .

Imagine one emergency department in BC with all emergency settings connected virtually. RTVS is the entry point to this virtual emergency department. It provides instant peer support and patient care anywhere in the province. Care providers in need can call their remote colleagues to get guidance and support for optimum patient management. Higher level expertise for all practitioners is instantly available.

Emergency Care BC (as BC Emergency Medicine Network) played a leadership role in advocating for and developing many RTVS pathways. It also oversees the formal evaluation of all RTVS pathways. The RTVS programs are made possible through collaboration between the Rural Coordination Center of BC, Emergency Care BC, the First Nations Health Authority, HealthlinkBC and the Ministry of health..

For updates on all RTVS pathways, visit the Rural Coordination Centre of BC website.

What

ECBC co-develops the RTVS pathways below.

RUDi – Rural Urgent Doctors in-aid
Physicians with emergency care experience in rural/remote communities who support rural healthcare providers. Don’t know who to call? Start with RUDi.

CHARLiE – Child Health Advice in Real-Time Electronically
Pediatricians supporting rural healthcare providers.

HEiDi – HealthLink BC Emergency iDoctor-in-assistance
Physicians supporting HealthLink BC 8-1-1 with optional patient support and health system navigation.

Find all clinical pathways at RCCbc.ca.

Why

RTVS provides instant access to expert care anywhere in the province. Care providers receive peer support for delivering patient care. Patients can be directed to primary care, safely avoiding the emergency department – saving time, money, and the potential risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Imagine one emergency department in BC with 108 virtual rooms. RTVS is the entry point to this virtual emergency department. It provides instant peer support and patient care anywhere in the province. Care providers in need can call their virtual colleagues “down the hall” to get a second opinion on any case using various clinical support pathways. Patients can receive support and appropriate triaging through the HEiDi pathway.

How

Real-Time Virtual Support is delivered by video or by phone, anywhere in BC.

Care providers connect instantly to friendly peer support. Patients are supported and triaged to appropriate health services.

Get started with RTVS pathways with just a zoom account or a phone line. Follow the instructions at RCCbc.ca.

So What

RTVS improves patient care and reduces ED wait times and unnecessary patient travel by appropriately triaging patients. It improves rural provider retention by increasing their quality of life and reducing feelings of isolation.

RTVS-webpage-main-image_V5-01-02-01

Real-Time Virtual Support significantly decreases the stress and anxiety and the frustration in getting help. That changes your whole way of practicing, your quality of life as a person, and just being able to share the responsibility as well.

- Rural Physician