GBGH launches Emergency Wait Times clock webpage

March 30, 2023 – Starting this week, Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) will publicly display projected wait times in the Emergency department (ED) via the hospital’s websites – both in English and French. Within the coming weeks, GBGH will also post the wait times on a screen in the ED waiting room so patients can refer to it while already in the ED.

When viewing the wait times online, it shows two different categories types of wait time – main ED and Green Zone (See & Treat for minor illness or injury), as well as the number of patients who are:

• Currently waiting (have not yet seen a physician)
• Currently being treated (i.e. they’ve had an initial assessment by a physician)

“GBGH has continued its important work over the last year to improve emergency department wait times,” says Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, GBGH. “The new ED wait time clock aligns with our hospital’s commitment to be transparent with our community. It is also important for patients to understand what to expect when coming to the Emergency department so they can be better prepared for their visit.”

This initiative was a significant priority for GBGH based on the following:

• Providing information to the public about the length of wait times to expect when visiting the ED can improve the patient experience
• It is an opportunity to increase awareness among patients and families about fluctuations in ED volumes, wait times and the triage process (based on the severity of a patient’s condition and their type of injury/illness)

On the website, the public can also access a graph showing when the ED will be busiest over the next six hours (based on historical data from the previous 30 days); a list of alternative resources for minor illness; what to bring when coming to the ED; and a reminder to call 911 in case of serious injury or illness. The page is accessible through GBGH’s website (gbgh.on.ca) and directly through the following link: https://gbgh-predict.oculys.com

Please note, wait times can change suddenly and dramatically based on evolving patient health status and volume.

Contact:

Derek Desroches
Communications Specialist
705-526-1300 ext 5016
desrochesd@gbgh.on.ca