The Emergency Department (ED) is here to provide care to you and your loved ones when you need it most. The ED wait clock was designed with patients in mind, to provide up-to-date information on the estimated wait time to see a physician.
The ED wait clocks below represent the approximate wait time most patients will wait to see a physician at the current time, this includes triage and registration time. The ED wait clocks also display the number of patients waiting to be seen and the number of patients being treated.
Frequently asked questions
What do ED wait times reflect? |
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ED wait times are an estimate of the time in hours to be triaged, registered and see a doctor or nurse practitioner. |
How often are ED wait times refreshed? |
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ED wait times are refreshed every 30 minutes to provide patients and their loved ones with as timely and accurate information about wait times as possible. |
Why are ED wait times always changing? |
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Demand for services in the ED can change very quickly depending on the number of patients arriving and their level of need. Incidents such as a serious accident or patients arriving with life or limb threatening injuries or illnesses can unexpectedly impact the wait times. |
How will I be assessed for my turn to be seen? |
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The ED does not work on a first-come, first-served system. It's important to know that critical patients will be seen first, whether they arrive on their own or via ambulance. Upon arrival in the ED, you will be assessed using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). The CTAS is a tool used both nationally and internationally to allow emergency departments and their staff to prioritize patient care requirements. You will be seen by a doctor based on that assessment. In simple terms, the sickest patients will be seen most quickly. |
Should I use the wait time to determine if I should come to the ED? |
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The online wait time tool is meant to give the public general information about current wait times at each of our hospital sites. This includes current pressures on the system in real time. In the case of a serious emergency, please call 911. If your medical problem isn't urgent, you may want to consider alternatives other than the ED, such as a walk-in clinic, an Urgent Care Centre or scheduling an appointment to see your family doctor. You may also want to consider using our Virtual Urgent Care service. Using any of these options for minor medical issues helps to alleviate pressure on ED and reduces wait times for everyone. Learn more about your other health care options. The wait times below are not meant to be used as medical advice or a recommendation that you choose a specific ED or Urgent Care Centre. |
Why is Osler making this information available to the public? |
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Wait times in our ED are among the most frequently asked questions by our patients and families. Sharing our wait time information reinforces our commitment to be transparent and accountable by communicating information in real time that will help those we serve make more informed and timely decisions about their care. |
