Occupancy rates of 200% in emergencies

Emergency departments in Outaouais are experiencing a start to the year under heavy pressure, with stretcher occupancy rates reaching nearly 200%.

Hospitals in Gatineau and Hull have respective rates of 200% and 188%, according to the latest updates.

Before the holidays, the Outaouais Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSSO) called on the population to avoid emergencies as much as possible. The organization had suggested alternatives, such as consulting a family doctor, seeking advice from a pharmacist, using self-care tools or contacting Info-Santé.

The health system is facing a double crisis: an increase in circulating viruses and a shortage of staff, exacerbated by the holiday season.

“The staff is literally in a storm,” laments the president of the Union of Healthcare Professionals of Outaouais. She affirms that this situation is aggravated by the CISSSO’s desire to make budget cuts of more than $90 million by the end of March.

Despite calls for caution, emergency rooms remain overloaded, reflecting increasing pressure on the health system.

Citizens are encouraged to be patient and explore all possible options before going to the emergency room.

With information from Louis-Charles Poulin