I just want to share my recent experience and also opinions with you. Recently on 1st of September, I went to emergency department of Royal Victoria hospitalof Quebec. I went there around 10.15 a.m. The doctor finally called me around 5.30 p.m. I was patient about the delay, since the place was over crowded. My complaint is about how things work here.
This year in July, I had to go to Credit Valley Hospital of Mississauga, Ontario due to health issues (during my vacation). There were four Triage nurses at the same time (here at Royal Vic. Hospital of Montreal has only two nurses). The nurse listened to my concerns and she decided to send me for ECG and blood test for the vital signs. After two hours of waiting, when the doctor called me, he had all my lab results on his hand. And then he sends me for additional test (chest X-ray) since he wasn’t sure about my condition. Like that, my waiting time wasn’t wasted (since i was going through all the test). I got out from the emergency of Credit Valley Hospital of mississauga after 3 hours.
Now, if I talk about Quebec system, during our waiting period, there nothing goes on. The Royal Vic. emergency doctor called me around 5.30 p.m. ( after 7 hours). Then he decided which tests he would do. So, my new waiting time starts again. Another thing, after meeting with the doctor, I gave my urine sample around 6 p.m (I was asked to leave in a box in the corridor). When I checked the box around 7.20, the samples were there with many others. Now tell me if they take more an hour to collect the samples from the box, when will the patient get the result?
The triage nurses should have more authorities. They shouldn’t be there only for maintaining the priority. With their experience they can ask for the general tests for vital signs. Then the doctor will decide if he needs further tests, if the case is complicated. That’s how, in most of the cases, the doctor have to meet the patient only one time and discharge the individual. Here, doctor has to meet the patient minimum two times ( prescribe the tests and after getting the results). That’s how doctor can save at least one meeting, which is very valuable time.
It’s time to think differently since the system is getting worse.