Quebec emergency rooms facing high occupancy rates amid winter surge

Tashi Farmilo

Santé Québec held a virtual press conference on February 21 to provide an update on the state of emergency rooms across the province. Robin-Marie Coleman, Associate Vice-President for Access Coordination and Care Pathways at Santé Québec, and Dr. Mélanie Labrosse, Pediatric Emergency Physician at CHU Sainte-Justine, addressed key concerns regarding hospital overcrowding and provided guidance on managing non-urgent medical cases.

Coleman reported that Quebec’s emergency rooms continue to experience high occupancy rates, with an average ER bed occupancy of 123% across the province. This figure rises significantly in the Montreal area, where rates have climbed from 122% to 144% between February 4 and February 17. The increasing number of patients, coupled with the impact of seasonal illnesses and two recent winter storms, has placed additional pressure on healthcare facilities.

The average length of stay in emergency departments has worsened by approximately 96 minutes compared to last year. This trend is attributed to multiple factors, including an aging population, an overall increase in ER visits, and the resulting strain on inpatient hospital units.

Dr. Labrosse highlighted a notable rise in pediatric emergency visits, which have reached 487 visits per day—100 more than the same period last year. Most of these cases are related to respiratory infections and gastroenteritis, conditions that typically do not require emergency care. However, she noted a positive development: a decline in newborn hospitalizations due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), likely due to the implementation of new vaccination programs.

To help reduce unnecessary ER visits, Dr. Labrosse advised parents to consult alternative healthcare options such as family doctors, pharmacists, and the provincial health hotline (811). She also emphasized key strategies for at-home care, including proper fever management with alternating doses of Tylenol and Advil, and hydration techniques for children experiencing vomiting.

As spring break approaches, Santé Québec is urging the public to exercise caution during winter activities. According to Dr. Labrosse, emergency rooms typically see an increase in injuries related to skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and other outdoor sports during this period. She particularly warned against the dangers of children digging snow tunnels, citing a recent tragic incident in which a teenager lost their life due to asphyxiation after a snow collapse.

To minimize the risk of injuries, parents are advised to ensure children wear appropriate protective gear, including helmets for winter sports. Families traveling during the break should consult travel clinics for necessary vaccinations and preventative health measures, particularly for destinations with risks such as malaria.

Despite current pressures, Coleman indicated that emergency room activity is expected to plateau rather than escalate further. Public awareness and responsible healthcare-seeking behaviours remain crucial to ensuring efficient emergency services for those in urgent need.

Santé Québec expressed gratitude to healthcare workers for their dedication during this challenging period and reaffirmed their commitment to improving access to care across the province.