Ontario hospital warns 'much longer' than expected emergency department wait times
An Ontario hospital is warning patients to anticipate “much longer” than expected wait times due to “rapidly changing demands” in their emergency department.
“Due to rapidly changing demands in our Emergency Departments at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital, individuals seeking care may experience much longer than expected wait times,” Markham Stouffville Hospital said in a statement released Thursday night.
Dr. Andrew Arcand, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital, explained that their alert was rooted in three core issues: a sudden surge of patients, a lack of beds and a shortage of staff.
Arcand said an “ incredible flow of patients” entered the emergency department during the overnight period between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The significant influx led to a scavenge for beds, which led to some to patients residing in hallways.
That surge also led the hospital to release a staff callout for “all hands on deck.”
“Our current state since June has been really difficult and really challenging,” he said.
While the hospital is still encouraging people who need “serious medical attention” to visit their nearest emergency department, they are asking individuals with conditions not considered an emergency to seek alternative options.
“I do think that if you have a new symptom that you are worried about or that’s severe…we will not judge you, we will always see you,” Arcand said.
However, he suggested visiting urgent care walk-in clinics, virtual assessments or a family doctor’s office, for those who have.
Ontario Health data shows on average patients admitted to Markham Stouffville Hospital spent almost 14 hours in the emergency department, with only a third admitted within the province’s target time of eight hours.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said that almost 90 per cent of individuals who walk into an emergency department have their condition dealt with within eight hours, which she described as an “acceptable amount of time” in an interview on CP24 on Aug 2.
As of Friday morning, Markham Stouffville Hospital’s emergency wait time after triage indicated that a patient is expected to wait an hour and a half to see a doctor or nurse practitioner. At that time, 18 patients were waiting in their emergency department, 56 had been triaged and 38 were being treated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.