Patients heading to the Emergency Room at Burnaby Hospital or Royal Columbian can now see the estimated wait time online.
The online dashboard shows three distinct categories:
- Wait time
- How long until you see a doctor
- Expected length of stay
- Status
- Normal or busier operations
In a news release, Fraser Health says the health authority sees more than 2,000 people in emergency departments across the region each day, adding it understands the current longer-than-usual emergency department wait times can be "frustrating."
"This new information about the emergency departments will help patients and families make informed decisions about accessing care."
"These estimates help demonstrate how long it may take to see a physician and the expected length of stay in the emergency department."
Fraser Health added over the past fiscal year, there has been a seven per cent increase in ER visits compared to pre-pandemic levels.
"By providing information about wait times and expected length of stay, we hope to improve the experience for our patients and their families by reducing uncertainty and anxiety they may feel while waiting for care."
As of this publication, the wait time at Burnaby Hospital was nearly two hours, while patients could expect a stay of almost four hours.
Those visiting Royal Columbian Hospital's ER would encounter a 2:42 wait time with an expected 3:37 length of stay.
- with files from Kyle Balzer, Tri-City News
