Delays
What the delay notice and the busy-department banner in EDFlow mean, why the emergency department sometimes slows down, and what the notices never tell you.
Why does this happen?
Someone in the emergency department needs urgent care right now, so part of our team is with them. This may add time to your wait. We haven't forgotten you, and we'll be with you as soon as we can.
If you feel worse, tell a staff member right away.
Tell a staff member now
Don't wait for a reply on your phone. Tell any nurse or staff member right away, or press your call bell. If you're in the waiting room, go to the triage desk.
If this is an emergency, call 911. For health advice, call Health811 at 811.
Sometimes your wait gets longer for reasons you can't see. EDFlow tells you when that happens, in calm words.
"Your wait may be longer"
When someone in the department needs urgent care, part of the team goes to help them. If this is likely to delay your care, you see a notice:
Your wait may be longer Someone in the emergency department needs urgent care right now, so part of our team is with them. This may add time to your wait. We haven't forgotten you, and we'll be with you as soon as we can. If you feel worse, tell a staff member right away.
Tap OK to close it. The notice stays as a banner at the top of your Visit screen until the delay ends, and in your updates.
Why does this happen?
The emergency department always cares for the sickest people first. When someone arrives very unwell, doctors and nurses may need to leave other work for a while.What the notice never tells you
- Who needs help, or why.
- Where in the department it is happening.
- How many people are involved, or how long it will take.
If another delay happens within 30 minutes, the same notice is updated. You won't get a second pop-up.
"It's busier than usual"
When the department is busy, a banner appears at the top of your screen:
It's busier than usual today. Waits may be longer.
When it is very busy, the banner says: It's very busy right now. We see the sickest people first, so some waits will be long. We're sorry for the wait. Estimates also say that waits may be longer.
What to do
- Stay where staff can find you.
- If you feel worse while you wait, tell a staff member right away.
- If you need to step out, tell your care team with a request first. See Asking your care team.
Related
Last updated on