There is an increase in the number of visits to emergencies in January between 2023 and 2024, and this situation is particularly present in Montreal, among others because the cases are more complex in the metropolis and that the aging of the population is greater.
These are elements of response from Health Quebec to explain why the pressure in emergencies is stronger in Montreal.
“We note an increase of more than 600 visits per day at the entire level of Quebec compared to the same period last year,” said Véronique Wilson, Deputy Director General for Network Coordination and Support for Operations at Santé Québec .
During the Weekly Health Quebec Hebdomedary Press Point on the emergency situation on Friday, Ms. Wilson said that for the Montreal region only, there are 200 additional visits per day to the emergency room compared to the same period last year.
Between January 7 and 20, we see that the increase in daily visits to emergencies is more marked in Montreal, 9.2 % for a year. And “in the 450, it’s almost 7 %”.
“This increase in visits can be explained in particular by the needs and complexity of Montreal customers. Users who present themselves to the emergency are often more sick, older and they have more complex needs, “said Ms. Wilson.
“These users are therefore more often lying on a stretcher and ask that we take time to care for them well, which will increase the occupancy rate on a stretcher. »»
Ms. Wilson also argued that specialized hospitals, including CHUM, CUSM, Jewish General Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital and Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, serve a clientele that lives outside the metropolis . Exterior patients sometimes exceed 30 % of the customers in these hospitals.
More beds in the floors
Friday afternoon, the occupancy rate in Montreal emergencies amounted to 145 %, compared to a provincial average of 121 %.
The highest rates are found in Laval (171 %) and in the Laurentians (154 %).
The objective is to temporarily increase the number of beds available in an installation, out of an emergency. This helps balance the pressure on the floors and the emergency, explained Ms. Wilson.
-“We know very well that the increase in beds on the units does not alone solve hospital congestion and that it should be a temporary solution. This is why hospitals are currently making great efforts to improve hospital fluidity, “she says.
Strong propagation of influenza
The National Director of Public Health, Dr Luc Boileau, expressed a drop in the number of cases of COVID-19 and the syncytial respiratory virus (VRS) across the province.
However, Influenza cases are ascent. And until mid-February, the curve should continue to grow.
“It is therefore necessary to anticipate that there will be consequences for people and hospitalizations. There are often between 6000 and 7000 per year, hospitalizations, and even around 300 to 400 people who go to intensive care. Unfortunately, we also have deaths, ”he said in a press point.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from complications from Influenza and Dr. Boileau recalled that it is always time to be vaccinated, since the peak of the flu season has not yet been reached.
Vaccinations
Until now, 1.7 million Quebecers have been vaccinated against influenza. “Which is very good,” said Dr. Boileau, but he encourages those who do not have their dose to protect themselves before the highest point from the circulation of the flu.
The National Director of Public Health said that the vaccination rate among 65 year olds is a bit at the bottom 60 % across the province, the target being 70 %. In CHSLDs and private elder residences, the target of public health has been reached. “When you reach 60 % you are satisfied, you are 70 % happy,” he sums up.
On the other hand, Dr. Boileau was delighted that the measles epidemic which declared itself in December is contained at the moment.
On January 21, 13 cases were confirmed in the Laurentians, Montreal and Laval. He calls families who are not vaccinated against measles, especially children, to make an appointment to receive the vaccine.
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