Emergency Department

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Emergency

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The Emergency Department provides emergency care to patients of all ages.

Location

The Emergency Department is located on the Main Level of the South tower.

Hours of Operation

The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Essential Care Partners

Please note that only one caregiver/support person is permitted in special circumstances, such as for patients with cognitive, mobility or language difficulties. The caregiver/ support person may stay until the patient is triaged and settled into a room in the Emergency Department. The need for a caregiver/ support person will be constantly re-assessed by the care team and caregivers/ support persons may be asked to leave at any time based upon conditions within the department.

With the higher volumes of patients presenting to our Emergency Department, caregiver/support person presence will continue to be limited to prevent community spread of infection and to support the requirements for physical distancing.

Appointments

The Emergency Department does not take appointments. The Emergency Department provides care to those arriving by ambulance or walk-in. Patient are seen based on the level of care needed. Not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Services

Emergency Care
Psychiatric Emergency Services
Nina's Place: Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Care Centre

Coming to the Emergency Department

What to Bring

Ontario Health Card or proof of medical coverage.
Your medical history and a list of all medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal or homeopathic remedies.
Important: Please review our essential care partner and visitor information before coming to hospital. Essential care partners (ECPs) may only accompany an emergency patient under exceptional circumstances

What to Expect

A triage nurse will assess your needs and complete a medical history.
Once assessed you will be registered and directed to await care.
Patients will be seen based on level care needed, rather than first-come first-served.

If you are admitted

If you require ongoing care, you may be admitted to the hospital. If a bed is not immediately available, your admitted care will continue in the Emergency Department until one becomes available.

Before you leave

Before leaving the Emergency Department, please speak to your health care team. They will provide information about ongoing care, appointments and access to community resources. Please follow the instructions provided to you.

Meeting with a Specialist

If you have been asked to visit the Emergency Department to meet with a specialist, please check in at the registration desk. Once registered, you be directed where to to await your meeting.

Out-patient Diagnostics

If you have been asked to return to the Emergency Department following outpatient diagnostics, please check in at the registration desk. Once registered, you will be directed where to await care.

As with other visits to the Emergency Department, you will be seen based on level of care needed. Not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wait times

Patients are seen based on the level of care needed. Not on a first-come, first-served basis. Although this can lead to longer waits for some, it is the safest way to deliver care. This is the same if you arrive by ambulance, on your own or if you have been asked to return for ongoing care.

Throughout your visit, we will keep you informed about your care and length of stay. Every effort will be made to serve you as quickly as possible.

How to help Lower wait times

Fees

Most health care services provided to Ontario residents are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Some health insurance plans will cover what OHIP does not. Additional fees are charged for