Wait estimates
How EDFlow estimates waits in plain words: a usual range and the time 9 in 10 people are done within, based on past visits on the same day and hour. Why there is no countdown and why times can change.
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.
Wait times in EDFlow are estimates, not promises. They come from how long the same step took for other people at this hospital, on the same day of the week and around the same time.
How to read an estimate
An estimate has two lines:
- Usually. For example, "Usually 45 min to 1 h". Half of people finish this step within the first time, and three in four within the second.
- Most people. For example, "Most people (9 in 10) are done within about 2 h. Sometimes it takes longer."
Under them, a line says what the estimate is based on, like "Based on past Tuesdays around 3 p.m. at this hospital." Tap How we estimate times to read more.
Why the numbers are rounded
We round times up, so they are easy to read and you are less likely to wait longer than shown:
| Time | Rounded to |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 hour | The next 5 minutes |
| 1 to 3 hours | The next 15 minutes |
| More than 3 hours | The next 30 minutes |
Why there is no countdown
The sickest people are always seen first. Someone who arrives after you may be seen before you. A countdown would often be wrong, so we don't show one. We also never show your place in line.
Why a time can change
Your estimate is set when a step starts. It does not jump around while you wait. It can change if:
- a nurse checks you again and your care changes;
- you move to another area of the department;
- a new test is ordered.
When a step takes longer than usual
If your step goes past the time most people are done within, you see:
This is taking longer than usual. If you haven't heard from anyone recently, please check with a nurse.
Staff also get an alert. When one of them sees it, your screen says: Your care team knows you're waiting.
When there is no estimate
| What you see | Why |
|---|---|
| We'll see you as soon as we can. The sickest people are always seen first. | You'll be seen as soon as possible, so a time would not help. |
| We don't have enough information to estimate this step yet. | The hospital doesn't have enough past visits for this step yet. |
| "This service opens at 8 a.m." | The service for this test is closed right now. The screen says when it opens, and your care team will tell you what happens until then. |
| Times may not be up to date while updates are delayed. | Updates from the hospital are delayed. |
| This depends on beds upstairs. | You're waiting for a bed upstairs. This depends on beds in the hospital. |
When the department is very busy, estimates also say: Waits may be longer than usual right now.
Related
- Your visit
- Tests
- Why wait estimates should under-promise on the product site
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