Overflow of pediatric hospitals | Parental collaboration sought in Montreal

(Montreal) While Montreal’s two pediatric hospitals are experiencing overflows in their emergency rooms, parents are asked to stay home if their child does not require immediate care.

For the entire month of October, patients with minor health problems, who are in categories P4 and P5, represented more than 50% of emergency visits at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Similar scenario at CHU Sainte-Justine, where these categories of patients represented 40% of emergency visits.

The average occupancy rate of the emergency department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital was 140% for the month of October. At CHU Sainte-Justine, it stood at 120%, with a marked increase in traffic during the last week of October, when the average occupancy rate reached 142%.

It is mainly viruses and respiratory infections which cause great pressure on emergency rooms. The D^r Antonio D’Angelo, medical head of the emergency department at CHU Sainte-Justine, reminds that children who have a cold, flu or gastroenteritis and who have mild symptoms should expect to wait several hours before consulting a doctor. .

The medical director of the emergency department of the Montreal Children’s Hospital, D^r Harley Eisman emphasizes that emergency services must be reserved for people whose state of health requires immediate care. He invites parents to come to walk-in clinics or call 8-1-1 if their child is not seriously ill or injured.

The two pediatric hospitals, however, want to be reassuring: no child requiring medical care will be refused. They advise going to the emergency room, among other things, in the event of a fever in a baby less than four months old, if a child has difficulty breathing or if he or she shows signs of dehydration due to vomiting or diarrhea.

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