Emergencies during the holiday season
- December 2001
Hospital Emergency Departments across Niagara are extremely busy this time of year.
If you or your family need medical care, here is some important information to assist you in using Niagara’s Emergency Departments.
Sometimes it is difficult to know whether your problem is serious or not. Here are just a few examples of when you should go to the Emergency or call 911.
- When you are experiencing chest pains or tightness in the chest
- When you have severe pain
- When you have shortness of breath
- When a person is choking or having difficulty breathing
- When you think you may have fractured or broken a bone or have a wound that may need stitches
- When you have sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, dizziness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg
- If your child has diarrhea and vomiting and won’t eat or drink
- When a baby under 6 months has a fever over 38.5 C or 101 F
If you need advice, consult with your family physician or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
If you have any doubts, call 911 or go to the closest Emergency Department.
When you arrive at the Emergency Department, a nurse will see you as quickly as possible and will determine your need for care. How soon you are seen by a doctor will depend on how sick or how badly injured you are, not by time of arrival. The sickest patients are seen first. This triage process is the same used by the nurses and paramedics. If your condition worsens while you are waiting, it's important to let the nurse know.
Be Prepared for the Holidays
You can often avoid problems by simply being prepared. Here is a checklist to consider:
- Call your doctor's office and your local pharmacy: Find out what their hours will be over the holidays and ask about any back-up coverage arrangements.
- Get a flu shot: Your family doctor can offer this service or refer you to the nearest clinic that does.
- Medications and Medical equipment: Make sure that everyone in your family has enough of their medications, both prescription and non-prescription, to last over the holiday season. Don't forget needles, alcohol swabs, etc. Also check out inhalers, respirators, oxygen, and glucose testing machines.
- Batteries: Have extra batteries on hand for equipment such as electric wheelchairs.
- Medical Checkups: If you're due for a checkup or tests, try to schedule them before the holidays.
- Update all emergency telephone numbers and post them in a visible place (eg. your refrigerator).
How You Can Help!
- Have your Ontario Health Card with you when you come to Emergency
- Bring a list of the all the medications that you take on a regular basis along with any other important information like allergies
- While you are waiting for treatment, please do not eat or drink without first checking with a nurse
- If you decide to leave before being seen by a doctor, please talk with a nurse.