Play it safe this summer: Norfolk General Hospital

Norfolk General Hospital officials are urgent residents to play it safe this summer as trauma season gets underway.

“Like many emergency departments across the province, Norfolk General Hospital is experiencing the strains of our healthcare system,” said Adam Isaacs, the director of the hospital’s emergency department and intensive care unit, said in a prepared statement. “With the expected rise in trauma patients, combined with the pressures on our healthcare system, we are experiencing longer wait times than usual.

“We encourage everyone to be proactive and practice safety this summer and to consider alternate options for non-emergent issues.”

The hospital’s emergency department team is working to provide the best possible care and appreciate public support at this challenging time, Isaacs said.

But most injuries are preventable and the hospital needs everyone do their best to prevent serious injuries, Isaacs said.

Hospitals typically see an increase in trauma cases during the summer, starting at the end of May and continuing to Labor Day Weekend in September. Health care professionals call the period the trauma season.

“Summer is the time when our emergency department becomes much busier. We also see an increase in trauma presentations during this season,” Dr. Christine Tran, Norfolk General’s emergency department chief, said. “We ask that everyone be safe this summer so that you can enjoy the warm weather and not spend it in the hospital.”

Staffing and capacity pressures, which are expected to continue throughout the summer, have health care providers looking at all options to prioritize safe, quality care for patient while safeguarding the work environment for hospital staff and physicians, hospital officials say.

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency is urged to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Patients visiting the emergency department are triaged – evaluated – and prioritized based on the severity of their condition.

Level 1 patients, those placed at the top of the priority list, have conditions that threaten their lives or limbs. They’re suffering from cardiac arrest or a major trauma. They are followed by Level 2 patients – people with conditions that could threaten life or limbs including those with chest pains.

Level 3 patients are those with serious conditions such as mild asthma, moderate trauma or vomiting and diarrhea in patients under two years.

Semi-urgent, or Level 4 patients, have conditions relating to distress or potential complications that could be helped by medical intervention such as an ear ache.

Level 5 or non-urgent patients are those with skin infections, back pain or ankle injuries which should be addressed by a family physician or walk-in clinic.

Patients with non-urgent medical issues may have to wait a long time for medical attention, hospital officials say.

Residents are urged to use Health Connect Ontario at www.health.gov.on.ca, which has a symptom checker and the option to speak live with a nurse to receive medical advice.

As well, residents can call Health811 at 1-866-797-0007 or 811 for help.

Meanwhile, Ontario pharmacists can now prescribe medication for 13 conditions. To learn more visit www.ontario.ca/Page/Pharmacies.

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