Quebec is improving one of the measures put in place to reduce emergency room traffic as the holiday season approaches: the 811 pediatric line is now available in all regions of the province. Despite this announcement, which is in addition to several others, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, expects a “difficult” holiday season in emergency rooms in Quebec.
“We know that contacts will increase,” he said during a press scrum, held after his visit to the emergency room of Charles-Le Moyne hospital, located in Greenfield Park. “There will be additional traffic following the holiday season. »
Minister Christian Dubé believes that the measures put in place, such as the 811 pediatric line and the five specialized nurse practitioner (IPS) clinics, make it possible to “reduce a little the impact of the three viruses [grippe, COVID-19 et virus respiratoire syncytial] “.
Over the past few days, the emergency room has recorded 10,000 daily visits, the same number as a year ago. In 2021, however, Quebec was not facing a wave of respiratory viruses, said Christian Dubé.
“I would like us to be at 8,000 visits per day or 7,000, but to be able to stay at the current level in the great difficult context that we have, I think it’s an accomplishment. added the minister. Without the current measures, some 15,000 Quebecers would “perhaps” have been able to come to the emergency room, according to him.
Christian Dubé nevertheless asks Quebecers to follow the recommendations of Public Health to “give a hand” to emergencies.
It also invites retired nurses to lend a hand to the 811 pediatric line by subscribing to “I contribute”. So far, some 300 people have responded to his appeal launched three weeks ago, according to the Ministry of Health and Human Services. By Wednesday morning, nearly 90 people had been hired, said the minister.
High occupancy rates
“We would take more,” said Christian Dubé. According to him, more professionals could come forward in the coming weeks, since the “I contribute” program will continue beyond December 31, as agreed with the unions, currently in negotiation with the government.
The emergency situation remains difficult, even today. According to the Index Santé website, the average occupancy rate in Quebec was around noon on Wednesday at nearly 130%. In Lanaudière, it reached 200%, the highest in the province. It was 154% in Montérégie, 137% in Laval and 128% in Montreal.
To reduce the pressure on emergencies, Christian Dubé recalled that the crisis unit – set up two months ago – had recommended the implementation of an overcapacity plan providing that the floors would accommodate more patients when a urgency overflows. However, the minister did not confirm that this protocol would be implemented by Christmas.
“Not everyone can go at the same speed. Let’s be very frank, he replied. Some are already there, some are going to do it, but it will still take a few weeks. »
The Minister praised the work of the teams at Charles-Le Moyne Hospital, who have implemented various initiatives to improve hospital fluidity. During his visit, the occupancy rate was close to 100%. “It’s almost a miracle,” said Christian Dubé. These people have been working for years on fluidity in the hospital. […] That takes longer to do than opening an IPS clinic. »