Avoid overcrowding ERs during the holidays if you can, Quebec health officials plead | 24CA News
Quebecers ought to be cautious this vacation season as respiratory viruses are on the rise and emergency rooms grapple with overcrowding, well being officers mentioned Tuesday.
Dr. Gilbert Boucher, president of the Association des spécialistes en médecine d’urgence du Québec and an emergency doctor at Montreal Heart Institute, mentioned sufferers with viruses that may be handled at dwelling ought to keep away from the hospital.
“The next few weeks will be difficult in our ERs,” Boucher mentioned. “We need everyone to do their part.”
The transfer comes as a gaggle representing chief docs within the province’s emergency departments have decried overcrowding in hospitals, saying it’s “out of control” and placing sufferers’ stay in danger. In a letter to the well being minister final week, the group mentioned ER occupancy charges are among the many highest ever recorded in Quebec.
On Tuesday afternoon, well being knowledge web site Index Santé mentioned the typical emergency division occupancy in Quebec was at 136 per cent with 4,778 folks in ERs throughout the province.
The scenario was even worse in Montreal-area emergency departments, with the typical occupancy hovering at 148 per cent within the metropolis and in Laval, the place it topped 180 per cent.
There isn’t any “miracle solution” that may remedy the issue, Boucher mentioned, including that packed ERs are having a tough time treating new sufferers.
Health Minister Christian Dubé urged sufferers to seek the advice of the 811 well being hotline, pharmacies and clinics for non-urgent medical instances so as to unlock ERs.
“There are alternatives to the emergency room,” Dubé mentioned.
Dr. Luc Boileau, director of Quebec’s public well being division, mentioned COVID, RSV and influenza instances are on the rise right now of yr. He really helpful fundamental sanitary measures, reminiscent of staying dwelling when sick and carrying a masks when out and about, in addition to vaccination to protect in opposition to diseases.
When requested if the province may reinstate COVID-related guidelines as finished up to now to curb the unfold of diseases, Boileau mentioned “we’re not there.”
— with information from The Canadian Press
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