Emergency Room Occupancy Rates Vary Across Quebec Amid Flu Season Surge
Emergency rooms in Quebec are experiencing high levels of patient demand, with some regions facing more strain than others. As of Monday morning, the province’s overall stretcher occupancy rate stood at 128%, a number expected to rise in the coming days, particularly due to the approaching peak of the flu season.
Notably, regions such as the Laurentians, Laval, and the Outaouais are grappling with significantly high occupancy rates of 173%, 180%, and 182% respectively. In contrast, the Montreal region, typically one of the busiest, reported an occupancy rate of 135%.
Véronique Wilson, Director General of Coordination at Santé Québec, highlighted the challenges posed by winter and flu season, emphasizing that while the situation is demanding, it is being managed effectively.
Despite the overall strain, several regions, including Capitale-Nationale, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, were below full capacity on Monday. However, with holiday gatherings fueling the spread of respiratory viruses, Quebec Health anticipates a continued rise in emergency room visits in the days ahead.
Patients should be prepared for extended wait times in emergency rooms, with average waits exceeding 5 hours in the waiting room and 17 hours for those on stretchers. Santé Québec is leveraging the Info-Santé 8-1-1 telephone line to reduce pressure on emergency services, with a notable increase in call volume compared to the previous year.
Wilson emphasized the importance of seeking guidance through Info-Santé 8-1-1 for non-urgent health concerns to help alleviate emergency room congestion. With ongoing efforts to manage the situation, Quebec Health aims to provide timely care and support during this challenging period.
Keyphrase: Quebec emergency rooms
