84% of Albertans experienced “long” waits for emergency healthcare: Survey

42% believe that the overall quality of care in EDs has gotten worse in the last four years while 66% say timeliness is declining.

About half describe making the decision to not attend an ED for treatment of a medical condition, despite thinking it likely warranted emergency care. In the South Health Zone, 44% were hesitant about visiting an ED.

Alberta Medical Association President Vesta Michelle Warren says there is a common thread linking many of these concerns.

“What patients have told us with this survey bears out what the Section of Emergency Medicine and other physician leaders have been saying: Lack of access to integrated primary care in the community, upstream of the ED, is contributing significantly to patient loads in the ED,” says Warren. “Our study shows that almost half of patients went to an ED as a last resort.”

Warren believes that valued allied health professionals like pharmacists and nurse practitioners can deliver high-quality care to patients that reduce the likelihood that they will need to seek emergency care.

More details from the survey can be found on the Alberta Medical Association website.

by David Opinko

84% of Albertans experienced “long” waits for emergency healthcare: Survey

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