By Scott Roblin

AHS releases Medicine Hat ER waiting times online

Sep 20, 2017 | 5:17 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – People needing emergency care in Medicine Hat can now see up to the minute how long it takes to see a health care professional.

Emergency room wait times for the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital are now displayed on AHS’ website, joining hospitals in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Red Deer.

AHS Chief Zone Officer Katherine Chubbs said this allows patients to make an informed decision.

“They can look at the wait time and say, ‘Am I better off trying to get a hold of my family doctor, or am I willing to go to the emergency department and wait the average expected time that’s currently there?’” said Chubbs. “So, it’s really about giving people choices.”

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Along with being available online, up to date times are posted on AHS’ app.

Dr. Ken Sauer is the chair of the Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council, and said while technology can be an asset, he has some concerns about the program.

“If you’re ill at 2 o’clock in the morning and you check, who has time to check the app? Because, you want to get to that hospital as quickly as you can.”

Average wait times in Medicine Hat reportedly decreased from one hour to 50 minutes between 2015 and 2016, but long waits still continue for some.

On Wednesday, waits in Medicine Hat verged on three and a half hours and were significantly longer compared to the larger city of Lethbridge.

Chubbs said they have to prioritize the condition of patients, especially those who arrive at the ER with severe injuries.

“If you’ve heard of people having unexpectedly long wait times, sometimes it’s due to the fact that maybe an emergent case or emergent cases has come in while you’ve been there.”

On social media opinions have been varied, with some praising recent wait times of half an hour and under, while others have expressed frustration with waits as long as six or seven hours.

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes said he’s spoken to many locals in the latter group.

“There’s many, many people that don’t use the emergency in Medicine Hat, but go to Brooks or Bow Island because it’s easier to get in.”

While lengthy stays in the ER continue for some, Sauer said wait times have improved drastically over the last four or five years.

“It just seems that there’s more efficiency and more effectiveness that’s there. And, at the same time again as I say, people have to learn to be patient, patients have to be patient.”

Sauer added the Triangle Council will be addressing wait times at their upcoming meeting on Monday in Bassano.