This booklet contains general information that is not specific to you. If you have any questions after reading it, please do not hesitate to ask a nurse or a physician.
A visit to the Emergency Department is often stressful. This booklet will explain how the Emergency Department operates.
The Emergency Department has three major areas. Each area is designed for patients with somewhat different illnesses or injuries. The Emergency Department may sometimes look quiet to you, when in fact it is actually very busy in another area. If you require laboratory tests or X-rays, it may take up to ninety minutes to obtain the results.
You may need to see a specialist for your specific problem. You may have to wait if the specialist is busy with other patients. If you find the waiting period long, please speak to the triage nurse or the registration clerk.
Nurses, clerks, physicians, paramedics, and respiratory technologists are all part of the health care team that will treat your problem and try to make your visit pleasant.
Do not eat or drink while waiting to be seen by the physician; doing so could affect test results and increase the length of your visit.
Visitors must ask permission to enter the treatment area. The clerk will verify if the patient is allowed visitors. If you find the wait long, return and ask the clerk if you can go in. Patients are allowed one visitor at a time.
For safekeeping purposes, please give your valuables (money, jewellery, fur coat, etc.) to the person accompanying you. The hospital is not responsible for your belongings.
Patients can be dropped of in front of the Emergency Department. However, vehicules cannot remain parked on the ramp. A security officer can move your vehicule for you in an emergency situation.
Make sure you have the following items with you before leaving the hospital:
The Emergency Department will send a copy of your chart to your family physician within 10 days.
Your family physician will reveive a copy of your test results.
Having a family physician may save you visits to the Emergency Department. If you do not already have a family physician, ask the on-duty emergency physician or nursing staff for information.
Thinking about reporting to your hospital's Emergency Department? If it is an emergency, report to the Emergency Department. If you are not sure, call TeleCare at 1-800-244-8353. Your call will be answered by an experienced emergency nurse. After assessing your symptoms, a TeleCare nurse will provide information to help you make a decision.
Calls to the Poison Control Centre are also answered by TeleCare staff at 811.