Regina’s emergency departments see influx of patients

Increasing numbers put strain on staff as well as hospital resources

Glen Perchie can’t pinpoint exactly why the emergency departments at Regina’s two hospitals have been so busy lately, but both have been treating high numbers of very ill patients.

“For the last two weeks, both departments have been really full,” said Perchie, executive director of emergency and EMS with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region.

A number of patients with traumatic injuries and heart attacks have been treated at the ERs, which contributes to wait times because they require a lot of resources.

“We’ve had really sick patients and our (intensive care units) have been really full,” Perchie said. “If somebody is complaining about something that they’re really worried is life-threatening, absolutely come to the emergency department.”

Perchie acknowledges it is frustrating when patients with less serious medical needs have long waits.

“I know they might be in pain and that’s not good, but we do try to keep a slight bit of capacity just in case we get a patient, whether it’s a heart attack, cardiac arrest or a major trauma,” he said. “They cannot wait.”

At times, the number of ER patients waiting to be transferred to wards has spiked.

“It was worse last week, but it’s kind of improved throughout this week,” Perchie said. “We’re really hopeful that the long weekend will be good and we’ll start out next week in a good place.”

A week ago on Thursday, the Pasqua Hospital was at 116 per cent occupancy and the Regina General Hospital was hovering around 100 per cent.

“We can still manage at that — it just makes things really tight and you certainly feel it in the emergency departments,” Perchie said. “It’s hard on all of the staff — in-patient (wards) as well because they are taking extra patients. There are heavy patient loads, so it really impacts everybody.”

Overall, falls are down from previous years.

“But when we get those warm days and then it freezes, we’ve had a couple of people coming in with ankle and wrist injuries,” Perchie said.

He recommends that everyone get their flu shot next year because there are some mild cases of H1N1.

“H1N1 was included in this year’s flu shot,” Perchie said. “I know of nobody who has been diagnosed with H1N1 who had a flu shot.”

For those with less urgent needs, many walk-in clinics are open over the long weekend and HealthLine is available at all hours, seven days a week.

“HealthLine is a fantastic resource for everybody — I know I’ve used it,” Perchie said. “We’re very lucky to have it.”

It’s kind of improved throughout this week. We’re really hopeful that the long weekend will be good and we’ll start out next week in a good place.