B.C.’s solicitor general was in Nelson on Friday to announce the launch of a digital public safety tool aimed at improving officer response to people in crisis.
HealthIM is designed to increase safety for first responders, health-care providers and individuals in crisis by facilitating better communication.
“It provides real-time, evidence-informed guidance to help assess risk, de-escalate situations and connect a person in crisis to appropriate care,” said Solicitor General Nina Krieger.
The program enhances an officer’s ability to assess and respond to situations and improve the quality of information collected during a response.
“HealthIM also improves safety for health-care workers and first responders by enhancing communication between police and clinicians. It uses shared language and real-time information to ensure doctors and nurses have the information they need when they need it,” Krieger said.
The tool reduces the amount of time police spend in hospital with patients and improves wait times for both police response and emergency rooms, enabling evidence-based decisions on who should be transported to the ER and who should be redirected to community-based services.
Nelson police launched the program on May 28, becoming the second municipal police service in B.C. to roll it out, after the Port Moody Police Department.
Jurisdictions using the program have reported positive outcomes, Krieger said, citing a 46 per cent decrease in apprehensions, a 39 per cent reduction in hospital wait times and a 37 per cent increase in hospital admission rates.
Reducing pressure on Nelson police
Also at Friday’s announcement was Nelson police Chief Donovan Fisher, who emphasized the program’s value to the department.
“From a policing perspective, HealthIM will prevent the unnecessary apprehension of individuals, result in quicker and more effective care for individuals who need it, and free up police officers to attend other needs within the community in a more timely manner,” Fisher said.
He noted it will also lessen staffing pressures by freeing up officer time spent in hospital for street patrols.
“There’s still generally only two or three officers working at any given time. So if two officers are engaged and staying at the hospital until the medical professionals have had a chance to assess the person and decide what they’re doing next, with that happening more quickly, it frees up those officers to be back on the street,” he said.
Bridging the gap
Kootenay Boundary Clinical Operations executive director Lannon De Best spoke on behalf of Interior Health, praising the program as a tool that bridges the gap between police and health-care providers.
“This digital system equips police officers with real-time access to risk assessments and vital information, enabling them to connect individuals to the right mental health resources swiftly and safely,” she said.
Pinkerton added HealthIM supports de-escalation by providing opportunities for informed decisions based on the best available information.
“From a health system perspective, this means more people get the care they need earlier, often avoiding unnecessary visits to the emergency department. It also helps our emergency department team prepare and respond more effectively when hospital care is required,” she said.
How it works
According to the province, HealthIM helps officers gain insight into the factors behind a person’s behaviour, leading to more informed and compassionate interactions.
The responding officer is guided through a series of questions using HealthIM to facilitate a better assessment of the person in crisis.
The system also improves communication with health-care partners by using consistent clinical language and providing critical information to doctors and nurses immediately.
Other benefits include:
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assessing risk of harm to self or others to help determine the best way for a person to receive help
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providing safety and de-escalation information to facilitate a trauma-informed response
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alerting health-care partners to incoming patients escorted by emergency responders and flagging instances of weapon possession or violent behaviour
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building a risk-of-harm analysis history over time, providing insight into how to assist those with previous police contact
The program is funded through a $2-million annual commitment to the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police for its rollout.
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