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Ambulance Delays Slashed: SAH Sees Record Improvement
31 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Ambulance offload times at SAH dramatically reduced.
- Delays fell from 228 to 9 patients exceeding 30 minutes.
- Average offload time improved from 36 to just over 10 minutes.
The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) has reported a dramatic improvement in ambulance offload times at Sault Area Hospital (SAH), positioning the region as a leader in emergency response efficiency. This initiative, aimed at ensuring ambulances are available for calls, has seen remarkable success.
Previously, extended delays meant ambulances were often unavailable for new emergencies. However, through collaboration with SAH and the consulting firm Optimus SBR, significant progress has been made. Last month, only nine patients faced offload delays exceeding 30 minutes, a substantial decrease from 228 in the prior year.
The average offload time has also been drastically cut from 36 minutes to just over 10 minutes. This improvement, attributed to strategies like implementing a triage nurse and close hospital collaboration, keeps paramedics on the road and ready to respond, bolstering community safety.


