Emergency Care

St. Mary’s General Hospital offers care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  More than 45,000 patients seek emergency care at St. Mary's every year.

What you can expect at the Emergency Department?
Upon your arrival, you will be assessed by a triage nurse.  You will be seen by a physician based on your triage assessment, which measures the severity of your condition or illness.  St. Mary’s uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale to assess all patients, and those with life-threatening illnesses are seen immediately.  NOTE:  Even if you arrive via ambulance, you must be assessed by a triage nurse.  Arrival by ambulance does not mean you will be seen any sooner than those already waiting for care.

Be an advocate for your health!
If your condition changes while you are waiting to be seen, it is your responsibilty to express these changes to a nurse immediately.  Be as specific as possible about your illness, pain, and symptoms.  

Wait Times in the Emergency Department
There are many factors that influence how long you will wait to see a physician.  Our staff and physicians understand that the wait for care can be frustrating and will do their best to care for you in a timely manner.  Your patience is appreciated.

How you can help
To make your visit to the Emergency Department as smooth as possible, there are a number of things you can do:

• Have your Ontario Health Insurance card ready. If you are from outside Ontario, have your health insurance information ready.
• Have a list of all medications you take on a regular basis, and any other important information (such as allergies) ready.
• If possible, bring a supply of your medications with you, in case you have to be admitted, or you have a long wait.
• Please talk with a nurse if you decide to leave without seeing a doctor.
• Please do not eat or drink anything without first checking with a nurse.

You should also know

• If you do not understand English well, please ask for an interpreter. Our hospital has interpreter services.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on hospital property.
• Please wash your hands frequently.  We have hand sanitizers throughout the Emergency Department for you to wash your hands.  Hand washing reduces the spread of infection.

Appropriate behaviour

• Our staff, physicians and volunteers are here to help you.  We pledge to treat you with dignity and respect, and expect the same treatment in return.  Threatening behaviour and violence (verbal and physical) will not be tolerated.