Local hospitals reintroduce emergency department wait time clocks
The Windsor Regional Hospital Oullette Campus' directory sign in Windsor, Ont. on Aug. 30, 2024. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor)
Erie Shores HealthCare and Windsor Regional Hospital have reintroduced their emergency department wait time clocks to give patients real-time information.
The clocks give patients an estimate of the time it will take until they see a doctor from the time they are triaged. The clocks will also show the total number of patients that are being treated and those waiting to be seen.
“Understanding the current wait times can empower patients to choose the right care at the right time,” said Kristin Kennedy, president and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC).
“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.”
These new clocks are an improvement over older ones because they take real time data and apply it to the wait time, rather than using historical data.
“The wait time clocks are another example of how we’re leveraging technology to enhance transparency in patient care decisions,” said Karen Riddell, acting president and CEO and chief nursing executive of Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH).
“By providing clear, real-time information, we aim to reduce uncertainty for patients and help them make informed decisions about their healthcare needs.”
WRH and ESHC stress that although these clocks give an approximate wait time, patients are seen in order of severity of their condition. Wait times are an average but could be much longer or shorter than what’s posted, depending on the situation in the emergency department that day.
In an emergency, 911 should always be contacted first. For less severe options, walk-in clinics, virtual care or pharmacies are alternatives that may better suit your needs. You can also call 811 at any time for healthcare assistance.
If you’re looking for the ESHC wait time clock, you can view it here.
For the WRH wait time clock, click here.
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