Rural health care teams supporting care close to home
With the help of point-of-care testing in rural emergency departments, local care teams are focused on strengthening access to essential emergency health care across several rural communities.
Point-of-care testing in rural emergency departments is a strategy aimed at reducing service disruptions when regular lab services are unavailable.
“Having point-of-care testing technology accessible when needed is not just about equipping our team, it’s about supporting our community.” said Tracy Gulka, Health Services Manager at Kamsack Hospital. “I’m proud of our local health-care team who does what it takes to maintain access to emergency department services and ensure their community members can access care when they need it.”
Since 2023, the innovative strategy has been implemented in a total of eight rural communities, most recently Herbert, Shellbrook, Watrous, and Kipling, and soon Rosthern, Assiniboia, and Esterhazy, and has safely helped to avoid 214 potential emergency department service disruptions, as of November 24, 2025.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority appreciates the dedicated health-care team members in these rural communities who perform vital tests and deliver timely results, helping keep emergency department services available for patients.
The health-care team in Kamsack has been using point-of-care testing in the Kamsack Hospital emergency department since April 2025. Back row (from left): Ronald Baynosa, Continuing Care Assistant; Sheila Bear, Registered Nurse. Front row (from left): Mackenzie Dull, Registered Nurse; Delsie Putong, Licensed Practical Nurse; Juvelin Blanca, Registered Nurse.
