Peterborough Regional Health Centre Expands Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is expanding the eligibility criteria for its successful Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway (STEP) in the Emergency Department.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Starting Wednesday, STEP will see patients for common summer ailments like bug bites and rashes, as well as other minor illnesses and injuries.

Since the program launched in January 2026, more than 1,300 community members have been cared for through STEP, which pre-screens patients via an online survey for minor illnesses and injuries before they arrive at the Emergency Department (ED). Once they arrive at the hospital, STEP-eligible patients are seen by a dedicated physician.

Before coming to the hospital, patients must complete the survey and receive an email confirming their eligibility for STEP: https://redcap.link/PRHC_STEP.

The expanded list of conditions that will be accepted through STEP as of July 1 includes:

• Respiratory symptoms (cough, nasal or sinus congestion, sore throat, or ear pain)

• Minor limb injuries

• Urinary tract infections

• Return – Stich and staple removal *NEW*

• Return – Next-day limb ultrasound *NEW*

• Return – IV antibiotics *NEW*

• Dental pain assessment (if unable to see a dentist) *NEW*

• Tetanus booster *NEW*

• Rabies follow-up booster *NEW*

• Rash or skin irritation (such as poison ivy or bug bites) *NEW*

• Sexually transmitted infection assessment and treatment *NEW*

• Wound assessment and dressing/packing change *NEW*

• Acute back pain (non-chronic and not from recent trauma) *NEW*

“With the summer months upon us, the ED expects to see an increase in minor illnesses and ailments, so this is the ideal time to expand STEP criteria to include additional patient conditions,” says Jessica Jackson, Director, Emergency, Critical Care, Respiratory Services and Trauma at PRHC. “Patient feedback about STEP has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re so proud of the incredible work being done by this team to improve the ways our patients access care through the ED, which supports us in continuing to provide the best possible care and experience for everyone.”

A dedicated STEP physician is available to see patients with minor illnesses and injuries from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on eligibility as determined by the survey and triage.

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