What is the Fit2Sit Program?
The Fit2Sit program, implemented by County of Simcoe Paramedic Services, aims to expedite the care of low-acuity patients who can self-register at hospitals and can sit or stand independently while they wait. This program is being implemented in communities throughout the province and endorsed by the Ontario Ministry of Health. It will be implemented at all Simcoe County hospitals, excluding Southlake. Its purpose is to help Paramedic crews get back on the road as quickly as possible, decreasing triage and offload times. The program will also support offload nurses and teams and assist with prioritizing high priority patients in emergency departments.
How it works?
- The program is designed to identify patients who are well enough to sit or stand, are stable, low acuity, and able to self-triage and register once in the Emergency Department
- Paramedics will assess patients enroute to the hospital to see if they meet the criteria of the Fit2Sit program. If so, paramedics will educate the patient on the process
- Eligible patients will have a Fit2Sit patient card filled out by the Paramedic, are placed in the waiting room, and the triage nurse is informed with the card provided.
- If they do not meet the criteria, proceed with standard practice
Who is eligible?
If a Paramedic believes a patient in their care could be eligible for the Fit2Sit program, they will need to fill out a form with several criteria.
In order for the patient to be eligible, every single item on the form must be a ‘Yes’. Some of the criteria include appropriate vital signs, appropriate oxygen levels, not showing signs of intoxication, and whether the patient is ambulatory and can safely sit in a chair or operate a wheelchair.