The emergency room can be a frustrating place for people waiting for treatment, here are some tips to know before you go.
It doesn’t matter if you live in Alberta or Saskatchewan and must go to the Lloydminster Hospital Emergency Room. These are the basic procedures regarding how you are sorted upon arrival at the ER.
The Meridian Source spoke with Lisa Yushchyshyn, Director of Acute Care NW, to learn more about triage and wait times.
“Lately, we’ve had a few interesting calls, patients coming in wondering if they can reserve their time in the E.R. or could they RSVP for the time?” said Yushchyshyn, “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.”
In short, airway, breathing and circulation (ABC’s) are the highest priority calls in any emergency room.
“A bad asthma attack is happening and you can’t get it under control with your medications. If you have cardiac symptoms; sweaty, feel like an elephant on your chest, it can be signs of a possible heart attack. Symptoms of a stroke, or serious trauma from a motor vehicle collision, some broken bones etc. are the bad ones,” said Yushchyshyn. “Broken bones won’t necessarily get you in right away. (The) type of break, amount of pain, bleeding and other factors could play a role in your CTAS level on a break.”
CTAS stands for The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). The below outlines the severity and can give you an idea of what to expect upon arrival.
CTAS 1 - severely ill, requires resuscitation, CTAS 2 - requires emergent care and rapid medical intervention, CTAS 3 - requires urgent care, CTAV 4 - requires less-urgent care, CTAS 5 - requires non-urgent care.
Yushchyshyn gives a few examples of each level of care.
“CTAS five would be someone who comes in who needs a prescription refill, or needs stitches removed or has a common cold. Four, you’re a little more urgent, needing stitches in certain situations, broken ankle/arm something very straightforward,” explained Yushchyshyn.
“Three is our biggest worry; you could get better or worse while you sit there. Stomach pain, seizure, if you fainted are all examples of level three. Two, you’re getting into the back pretty quickly. Major large broken bones, there is a lot of bleeding associated with that, hypoxia (your oxygen levels are dropping), a suspected heart attack. Level one is your most urgent, a serious MVA, heart attack or stroke, that sort of thing.”
However, it's important to know taking an ambulance doesn’t mean you’ll skip the wait time. Furthermore, She explained everyone is triaged and treated based on that assessment in the hospital. If you are well enough to sit in a chair or wheelchair, we will move you to that.
Additionally, she wants people to understand these situations. They have individuals who are upset almost daily because someone coming in after them was taken to the back before them because they have a higher CTAS level.
“They are quite upset sometimes, it’s really hard because what it means is you are physically well,” said Yushchyshyn. “But it’s hard to get people to feel that way because they’re in pain or have something that’s been bad enough to bring them to the ER.”
However, she hopes people will put themselves in the other person’s shoes.
“If that were you at CTAS 1 or CTAS 2, you’d definitely want to get first priority.”
There are some times that it can be better than others to visit the ER. If you are a CTAS 5, she recommends 8 a.m.; sometimes, it’s slower. Conversely, try to avoid coming on long weekends unless you have to, advises Yushchyshyn.
“Like everyone else, we have a hard time staffing as well… try to stay healthy because we are just trying to keep things together and ensure everyone stays alive.”
Finally, if you believe you are having a medical emergency, seek help immediately. Lloydminster emergency room is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
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