Paramedics at the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) are efficiently managing patient offloading, returning to duty quicker than most emergency services in Ontario, as per a recent report. The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) has collaborated with the hospital to reduce ambulance offload delays and enhance response times to ensure ambulance availability. Delays occur when paramedics must stay at the hospital until patients can be transferred to the emergency department. Prolonged delays hinder ambulance responses to other emergencies in the area. Stephanie Pagnucco, DSSAB Board Chair, highlighted the past challenges faced due to ambulance offload delays, emphasizing the need for change. SAH and Sault Paramedics engaged with Optimus SBR, an independent consulting firm, earlier this year to assess offload practices and identify areas for improvement. By November 2025, ambulance offloading efficiency reached its peak, with significantly reduced delays. Only nine patients faced delays exceeding 30 minutes in the recent month, compared to 228 in November 2024. The average offload time decreased from 36 minutes to just over 10 minutes, with the 90th percentile time now at 14 minutes, surpassing provincial targets. Pagnucco acknowledged the progress made, attributing it to collaborative efforts and the implementation of a triage nurse. SAH and DSSAB are committed to following recommendations from Optimus SBR to sustain and further enhance efficiency. Despite the improvements, Pagnucco emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum to ensure timely offloading without compromising quality of care.