SK VirtuaL Physican Programs

Wrong page? Go to skem.ca for resources for the Saskatoon ER

Physician Policies

Core policies are contained within the MD Manual
Information on how to safely send text messages that do not result in privacy breaches.
Shift scheduling, trading and release policy.

SMS Discharge tools found here
Internal 811 website for documents and many internal resources [SharePoint login required]
Website for the VIPER RN Project team.
Daily REDCAP tracking sheet.
Master site schedule of VIPER sites being supported [SharePoint login required]
Information on how to safely send text messages that do not result in privacy breaches.
The link to the SART team schedule has been removed. Please contact switchboard.

Open Evidence is a clinically focused AI tool that also provides links to the supporting papers.
Home page for clinical resources the the University of Saskatchewan Medical Library
Specific page of point-of-care tools and resources (e.g. Dynamed, Visual Dx)
Home page for the SHA Library
Specific library resources for Emergency Medicine provided by the SHA (e.g. FirstLine, Bugs-n-Drugs, RxFiles)
Common ER clinical directives (e.g. seizures, suspected toxic ingestions)
SHA documents for Viral Hemmoraghic Fevers / Ebola response plans.

Sept 6, 2026 - Invasive Group A Strep - Chemoprophylaxis, Letter to patients #1, Letter to patients #2, Patient Handout, Or call Saskatoon Communicable Disease Control at 306-655-4612 with questions or concerns. Recalls 'Prophylaxis is ideally initiated within 7 days of the last exposure to the case'

Results the survey of additional capabilities for local labs are here. Summary (a) consistent desire for D-Dimer, CRP, Ketones, VBG + Lactate, blood alcohol levels and (b) over 50% state 'sometimes' lack of lab tests can delay patient care

How can I become a virtual physician? Here are job descriptions for the VIBEX and VIPER programs. Expressions of interest can be sent to jobs@saskem.ca
Updating your fax information Email to update your fax with labs [lab information services] (province wide) via LisSupport@saskhealthauthority.ca and for Radiology (maybe saskatoon only?) Carla.Ewert@saskhealthauthority.ca

We get requests from all over Canada to share how we built Virtual Care in Saskatchewan.

The Virtual Physician Programs were initially launched in 2019-2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic the virtual physician programs [ViPP] have undergone considerable evolution. We operate as service inside Healthline 811 reflecting our province wide mandate. There are multiple separate service lines:

Primary Care / VIBEX - This is the 'original' virtual physician program. Code named Vibex (virtual basic and episodic care) it operates from 08:00-24:00 every day of the week. Patients phone in and speak to the HL811 nurses and if certain criteria are met the call is forwarded to the VIBEX physicians. This physician group does not have the ability to order lab or imaging but does have the ability to virtually prescribe. They are well positioned to solve non-acute, non-emergency cases that would be handled by the typical family physician
Acute Care / VIPER - When fully staffed the VIPER (virtual physician for ER) program operates 24/7 x 365 to serve small rural and remote emergency departments. Dissimilar to the VIBEX program the patients in this stream are physically present in a rural emergency department. Accordingly the the VIPER physician (usually) has access to a range of diagnostics (vitals, labs, ECG, x-ray) and treatment options (e.g. IV antibiotics). This group of physicians holds board certification in emergency medicine (CCFP-EM or FRCPC) or 10 years of ER experience. They handle all levels of complexity and acuity from minor aliments to life threatening conditions.

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