Emergency to double their capacity

Photo Agence QMI, Simon Clark

Antoine Lacroix

Friday, 5 January 2018 22:26

UPDATE
Friday, 5 January 2018 22:26

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In a full explosion of influenza, the emergency of a little everywhere in Quebec are gridlocked, some at more than double their capacity.

“This is a classic. Historically after the Holidays, there has still been an upsurge in emergencies. It eventually will stabilize, ” commented Magali Dupont, communications consultant at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est.

The data of the ministry of Health indicate that influenza activity is high with the tendency to increase “. It increases for two weeks, and nothing indicates that it is about to slow down, so that the peak has not yet been reached.

Montreal to be a bottleneck

“Although there are cases of influenza, there is also a large number of transport ambulance services, principally in Montreal, as well as patients with various pathologies,” says Noémie Vanheuverzwijn, media relations of the ministry of Health and social Services.

In Montreal, on Friday, the vast majority of emergencies were gridlocked. We denote even the emergency rooms of six hospitals had an occupancy rate in excess of the 140 %.

The hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur, Terrebonne in the Lanaudière region, the urgency of 36 stretchers was a full 219 %, making it one of the busiest in Quebec. On average, the emergency rooms are crowded to 125 %.

The fault to the lungs

“The occupancy rate of the current is not only caused by influenza, but also by the cases of pneumonia and chronic lung disease, among other things,” says Maryse Bérubé, information agency CISSS de Lanaudière.

People presenting to the emergency room with flu-like symptoms can wait several hours.

“This is a case-by-case basis, but priorities dictate that will pass more quickly. Someone who is very ill will be treated quickly, ” says his side Magali Dupont.

Before presenting to the emergency department, the department recommends people to call the Info-Santé service at 8-1-1 or go to the internet site www.sante.gouv.qc.ca which can help to make a decision. You can also visit the clinic.

The 5 worst occupancy rate on Friday to the emergency room

• Centre hospitalier Hotel-Dieu d’amos (Abitibi-Témiscamingue): 229%
• Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur (Lanaudière): 219%
• Hôpital Honoré-Mercier (Montérégie): 219%
• Centre hospitalier Anna-Laberge (Montérégie): 204%
• Memphremagog (Eastern Townships): 200%