CMH ER packed
Posted Apr 29, 2010 04:46:25 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s not bursting at the seams, but the emergency department at Cambridge Memorial Hospital is once again dealing with a large volume of patients.
The Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Mike Lawrie addressed the hospital board yesterday and according to today’s Record told members “The emergency department is somewhat besieged, but they are doing their best.”
Lawrie says the ER averages about 150 patients a day – up 20 to 30 patients from this past winter.
The increase is due, in large part, to the fact an urgent care clinic at Dunbar and Hespeler roads closed in late February.
Wait times in the ER are down however from just a couple of years ago when they ran up to 12 hours some days.
Still, Lawrie admits some patients with minor ailments are kept waiting up to seven hours when the ER is overrun with cases.
Cambridge Memorial hopes a couple of initiatives will further slash wait times.
It’s in the midst of trying to hire two more emergency room doctors, another nurse practitioner and a physiotherapist.
It’s also working on turning a vacant ward into a temporary long-term care home.
