Well being P.E.I. is warning Islanders to anticipate longer-than-normal wait occasions at Island emergency departments, and is asking folks with less-than-urgent must keep away from heading to the ER.
In a launch Saturday afternoon, Well being P.E.I. mentioned emergency departments that have been already coping with staffing shortages and challenges associated to COVID-19 are actually dealing with extra issues bringing health-care providers again on-line attributable to storm injury and energy outages attributable to post-tropical storm Fiona.
“Please keep away from Emergency Departments with less-than-urgent wants, or anticipate lengthy wait occasions for care,” the discharge mentioned.
Well being P.E.I. is encouraging Islanders to watch out as they clear up from the storm and to comply with the recommendation of the P.E.I. Emergency Measures Group (EMO).
Anybody with emergency medical wants ought to name 911 or search emergency providers when:
- experiencing discomfort or tightness within the chest.
- experiencing uncommon shortness of breath.
- experiencing belly ache.
- experiencing extended and protracted headache or dizziness.
- an damage could require stitches or contain a damaged bone.
- a toddler has extended diarrhea or vomiting.
- a child beneath six months of age has a fever of 38 C or greater.
If actually not sure, ‘get triaged’
“We have seen a rise in quantity of sufferers coming to the emergency division since Sunday,” mentioned Mike MacDonald, appearing affiliate director of nursing for scientific providers on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.
“So we’re asking employees to come back in and work and and help Islanders and but nonetheless take care of their very own conditions at house,” he mentioned. “It has been worrying … however you understand, they’ve been doing every little thing they’ll to to assist us.”
Whereas folks with gentle illnesses ought to keep away from the emergency division, he mentioned if individuals are not sure, they’ll name 811 for recommendation, and “if you’re involved about your well being, it is higher to come back to the emergency division and be seen by an emergency nurse, get triaged after which decide about whether or not you could keep or not keep.”
“Simply to make that call by yourself at house for those who’re unsure may very well be may very well be harmful,” he mentioned.
