By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

AHS provides estimated wait times for emergency department online

Sep 19, 2017 | 11:12 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A new option is available locally to help you decide where to access medical care.

Alberta Health Services offers a feature on their website and mobile app, that allows patients and the public to access up-to-the-minute wait times in the emergency department 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

The wait times provide an estimate of how long it will take from the time you are assessed to when you will be seen by a physician.

“I think knowledge is power for the people that we serve,” explained Katherine Chubbs, chief zone officer – South Zone. “We’re fortunate in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge to have good options for patients, in terms of where they can access services, and we think if people are more informed, they can make the best decision that’s right for them.

Chubbs quickly pointed out that in any kind of urgent or emergency situation, people should still call 911 or go to emergency. She added that this information simply helps you assess your options and try something else, if your health concern isn’t pressing.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

“We do have evening clinics in some areas, so we encourage people to look at those for the non-urgent, non-emergent scenarios,” Chubbs continued. “And of course, depending on the nature of the issue, Health Link might be a good resource as well.”

When asked if the online option is aimed at getting more people out of already crowded emergency departments, she said that is not the case, stating that in some cases it may simply encourage people to come at a different time.

“For example, practically speaking, I might decide that I’d like to be seen, but it’s not urgent,” said Chubbs. “I look on the website and see that the wait time is an hour and a half at that particular point in time, but you know, I’ve been watching and a I know that later in the evening or earlier in the morning are shorter. So, I may weight some options like that.”

Both the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital are included. The program started in Calgary in 2011, with Edmonton and Red Deer joining in subsequent years.

AHS says a software system calculates the current data from the facility, comparing the number of people in the emergency department and how sick they are with the resources that are available and required to treat those patients.

Chubbs did note that times can still change, as the calculation does not take into account seriously ill patients who will have to been seen immediately and bumped to the front of the line. Patients with non-urgent concerns may also have to wait longer to be seen, depending on the resources available.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.