The situation in Quebec hospitals showed no sign of easing on Saturday, while the average occupancy rate of emergencies remained above 100%.
Just before 4 p.m., the Index Sande site reported an overall average rate of 126% in Quebec emergencies, which falls into the “very high” category. This ratio is 133% on Wednesday, 136% on Thursday and 127% on Friday.
Only one region, Abidpi-Temiskamingu, had what was called a “normal” occupancy rate as of Saturday afternoon, at 70%. In 14 others, the occupancy rate was “high” or “very high”.
In the Laurentians it was up 158% on Saturday afternoon. The situation was particularly dire at Mont-Laurier Hospital, where there was an occupancy rate of 220%.
In Laval, Montérégie and Outaouais, the occupancy rate was 147%, in Lanaudiere 143% and in Chaudière-Appalaches 140%.
On the Montreal side, the occupancy rate was 132%. The situation was more difficult at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where it was 233%.
Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec (126%), Estrie (117%), Côte-Nord (107%) and Capitale-Nationale (105%) were other regions where passenger numbers exceeded 100% and the lights were red.
Occupancy rates were considered “high” in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine (86%), Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (85%) and Bas-Saint-Laurent (83%).
Earlier this week, Health Minister Christian Dubey's office reminded us that “all patients with urgent needs should go to the emergency room.”
“All patients with urgent problems will get the care they need and we will never compromise on health and safety,” we added in this regard.
However, the minister's office argued that “the number of patients who go to emergency rooms with viruses either directly at home or through access to another healthcare professional is still high.”
The latter reminded that other options such as winter clinics, 811, the pediatric line and the first line access desk are available before going to the emergency room.
“In addition, we are putting in place a central action to free up more than 500 additional accommodation spaces in the coming weeks, so that patients, mostly elderly, who find themselves in the hospital and no longer need to be there. A living environment suited to their needs,” we promised.
Hospitals are constantly challenged by circulating respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.
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