Emergency Department
The emergency departments at the Civic and General campuses are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to care for patients with serious medical concerns that cannot wait for a visit to a family doctor.
There is no Emergency Department at the Riverside Campus.
Important things to bring
Please bring these with you to the Emergency Department:
- Your health card number.
- An accurate list of the medications that you take. If you do not have time to make a list, please bring the bottles.
- Any records you may have concerning your health.
What to expect when you arrive
When you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will be greeted by one of our triage nurses. The nurses are skilled in triage, which is a system used to make sure the sickest patients are taken care of right away.
The nurse will assess your condition as quickly as possible by talking to you about the reasons that you came for emergency care, your allergies and the medication that you take. If necessary, the nurse will check your temperature, pulse and blood pressure and provide immediate care.
Once you have seen the triage nurse, you will be directed to specific areas of the Emergency Department based on the seriousness of your condition. This helps the hospital use its space and staff effectively, helping us deliver the right care as quickly as possible.
Areas in the Emergency Department
Each emergency department includes:
A separate entrance for ambulance arrivals
These patients are also triaged so care can be provided for the sickest patients first.
Critical care areas
For the sickest patients, equipped with advanced monitoring, emergency equipment, and staff ready for life-saving procedures.
Acute care areas
For patients who need urgent attention and may require tests, IVs, or close monitoring, but are not in immediate life-threatening danger.
Fast track / Urgent care areas
Where patients with less urgent needs can be treated efficiently, without needing to lie down in a hospital bed.
Why is there a waiting time in the emergency department?
The team works to provide quality care as quickly as possible. The most seriously ill patients are seen first even though they may come into the department after other patients. This is why the triage nurse checks everyone as soon as possible after they arrive.
We appreciate your patience if you are required to wait.
While waiting, if you have questions or you feel your condition has become worse, please let the triage nurse know right away.
Team
Specially trained doctors and nurses work as a team to provide the best possible care. Each of the emergency departments sees approximately 210 to 230 patients per day and both are very busy.
An Emergency doctor is responsible for the department and is on duty at all times. There will also be other doctors called residents. Residents have their medical degrees and can practice while they continue their training under supervision.
Medical students supervised by other doctors may also be involved with your care. The nurses and doctors are assisted by other health care workers such as orderlies or patient care assistants, clerks, respiratory therapists, ECG technologists, pharmacists, social workers, volunteers and spiritual care practitioners.
Leaders
Dr. Michael Woo
Head, Department of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Eric Clark
Deputy Head, Performance and Operations
Dr. Edmund Kwok
Deputy Head, Quality, Safety and Performance