VERRa (Virtual Emergency Room Rural assistance) is the RTVS pathway that provides overnight virtual emergency department (ED) support.
VERRa has already prevented over 5,000 hours of ED closure/diversion across BC under the banner of RUDi MRP. The work continues under the VERRa name.
Call VERRa
The VERRa team includes emergency physicians who are friendly, compassionate and knowledgeable about the rural landscape.
Support is tailored to each site but could include:
- safely assisting on-the-ground nursing staff with patient care;
- decision-making on when a local doctor needs to be called in;
- providing collaborative support;
- other situations as needed by rural providers.
The support is similar to the support that RUDi, MaBAL and CHARLiE provide to rural nurses at nursing outpost stations where physicians are not based.
When VERRa is used, there must always be an on-call doctor present in the community in case of higher acuity calls that can not safely be dealt with virtually.
Visit the RUDi (Emergency) CHARLiE (Pediatrics) and MaBAL (Maternity and Newborn) pages for more information on our other pathways for providers in rural and remote BC.
Want to join our team?
The VERRa team is looking for physicians who want to be part of a community of practice on the cutting edge of virtual support for equity of access to health care in rural BC.
VERRa program FAQs
Do you want to know more about the VERRa program? VERRa co-lead Dr. Brydon Blacklaws authored an FAQ document for those who want to take a deep dive into the program, which was first piloted in May 2021.
Find out more about RTVS
RTVS Simulation
Our partners at UBC Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD) can support you in developing simulations that are relevant to your rural community at no cost. These simulations ensure that you and your colleagues know how to access Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) pathways whenever you need them.
Dermatology
The Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) Quick Reply Dermatology pathway is for rural and remote healthcare providers who need the support of a Dermatologist.
