Emergency and Urgent Care

When should I go to the Emergency Department?

You should go to your nearest Emergency Department if you require emergency or urgent care related to a serious injury, illness or condition. This is especially important if you are experiencing symptoms and have an existing chronic condition, including heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.

Come to the Emergency Department immediately if you need care for symptoms such as:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath, dizziness/fainting
• pregnancy-related emergencies
• abdominal pain
• seizures
• stroke symptoms such as, loss of movement of half your body, loss of speech, severe dizziness
• numbness or weakness in arms or hands
• fever in infants three months or younger
• overdose/poisoning
• mental health issues
• sprains, strains or broken bones
• serious allergic reactions and skin rashes
• asthma attacks
• burns
• cuts that may need stitches
• earaches
• conditions related to your eyes
• infections
• any serious condition you feel is getting worse

For those that qualify, our Virtual Urgent Care service is also available seven days a week.

When should I go to the Urgent Care Centre?

Our services are covered by a valid Ontario health card. Visit the Urgent Care Centre for illnesses or injuries such as:

• sprains, strains or broken bones
• allergic reactions, skin rashes
• asthma attacks
• minor burns
• cuts that might need stitches
• earaches, eye injuries
• fevers, coughs and colds
• infections
• nose and throat complaints

For those that qualify, our Virtual Urgent Care service is also available seven days a week.

What should I bring with me?

Please bring:

• your Ontario health card
• any additional extended/private health insurance information
• your prescription and non-prescription medications (bring a supply as you may need to wait or may be admitted to hospital)
• any important information about your allergies or other medical conditions
• a brief list of questions or concerns
• water and one extra piece of clothing for warmth
• a quiet activity for you, your child or older adult while you wait (i.e. reading material)

Please do not bring:

• expensive or valuable items (please note you are responsible for any belongings)

What should I expect when I arrive?

A nurse will ask you about your illness or injury and may take your temperature and blood pressure.

• If you need immediate medical care, you will be seen right away. Please note that the sickest patients are seen first. This means a patient who arrives after you may be seen before you if their condition is more serious than yours.
• If you cannot be seen immediately, a registration clerk will record your information and tell you where to wait. If your condition changes while you are waiting to be seen, please tell our staff.

Osler also offers an online pre-registration form to help reduce the time you spend at registration in the Emergency Department. You will be able to fill out your personal information on your own mobile device. The online pre-registration form can be accessed through a QR code displayed throughout the ED and is available to all walk-in patients at the time of their visit.

How long will I wait?

Wait times depend on a few things, including how busy the hospital is when you arrive. Your wait may also be affected by:

• the number of tests you need (e.g. bloodwork, ECG, urine sample, x-ray, CT scan)
• whether your emergency doctor is consulting with another specialist
• whether you are being admitted to the hospital and need to wait for an available bed (if this applies, emergency staff will continue to care for you until you are moved to your room)

For your reference, real-time wait times are available online. We are committed to reducing wait times as much as possible while we provide safe and effective care.

What happens when I leave?

Before you leave the hospital, the doctor will share your diagnosis and instructions for your follow up care if needed. We are here to help, so ask questions. We can also provide written instructions, if needed.

If you need non-emergency support after you return home, contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner. The hospital will have sent them notes about your visit. If you do not have a doctor, you can visit a walk-in or urgent care clinic for non-emergency care.

When you return home, we may ask you to complete a short, confidential survey about your experience with us. This information helps us to know how we are doing and what we can do better.