Emergency departments at two Windsor-Essex hospitals are preparing for increased traffic as respiratory illness season progresses.
Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) and Erie Shores Healthcare (ESHC) have brought back their emergency wait time clocks, to provide patients with a timeframe for seeing an emergency room physician.
The wait times are estimated as the average interval between a patient being triaged and the time they see a doctor. As an improvement, the clocks will now represent real-time data based on current ED visits, rather than the past practice of using historical data.
"Understanding the current wait times can empower patients to choose the right care at the right time," said ESHC President and CEO Kristin Kennedy. "While the emergency department is equipped to handle urgent and life-threatening situations, many conditions can be effectively treated through other healthcare options available in the community."
The hospitals have reminded patients that wait times are average and that patients who are critical or with life-threatening conditions always take priority. This means that their actual wait time may be longer or shorter than indicated, and should never be used as a deterrent to calling 911 in an emergency.
The clocks are also being utilized to help patients make informed decisions about their care, as walk-in clinics, pharmacies, or virtual care may better suit their current needs.
"Both organizations encourage residents to review all available healthcare options and to reserve emergency department visits for urgent medical needs," read a joint media release from WRH and ESHC.