The situation in hospitals in Quebec shows no signs of easing on Saturday, while the average occupancy rate for emergencies remains well above 100%.
Published at 4:40 p.m.
Just before 4 p.m., the Index Santé website reported an overall average emergency rate of 126% in Quebec, which falls into the “very high” category. That rate was 133% on Wednesday, 136% on Thursday and 127% on Friday.
Only one region, Abitibi-Témiscamingue with 70%, had a so-called “normal” occupancy rate on Saturday afternoon. In the other 14, utilization was either “high” or “very high.”
In the Laurentians, occupancy was highest on Saturday afternoon at 158%. The situation was particularly difficult at Mont Laurier Hospital, where an occupancy rate of 220% was reported.
In Laval, Montérégie and Outaouais the occupancy rate was 147%, while in Lanaudière it was 143% and in Chaudière-Appalaches it was 140%.
On the Montreal side, occupancy was 132%. The situation was particularly difficult at the Royal Victoria Hospital, which had an occupancy rate of 233%.
Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec (126%), Estrie (117%), Côte-Nord (107%) and Capitale-Nationale (105%) were the other regions where ridership exceeded 100% and the lights were red .
Occupancy was 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 Dubé's office reminded us that “all patients who need urgent help must go to the emergency room.”
“All patients who have urgent problems will receive the necessary care, we will not compromise on health and safety,” we added on this topic.
However, “there is still too large a proportion of patients who go to the emergency room with viruses that can be treated directly at home or by consulting another healthcare professional,” the minister's office argued.
The latter reminded that there are other options available before going to the emergency room, such as: B. Winter Clinics, 811, the pediatric phone number and the First Line Access Desk.
“In addition, we are implementing a central measure to free up more than 500 additional accommodation places in the coming weeks so that patients, often seniors, who are in hospital and no longer need to be there, can be accommodated in a manner adapted to their needs Living environment,” we promised.
Hospitals continue to face the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.