Homebound Maritimers eschew ER care, according to new study findings
In the Maritimes provinces, concerns about the state of the healthcare system have been rising, with patients leaving emergency rooms (ERs) without receiving treatment more frequently than the national average.
According to the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), the proportion of patients who seek help in ERs and do not receive treatment is higher in the Maritimes than the national average. In Nova Scotia, for instance, 9.84 per cent of patients who attended an ER in 2024 left without treatment, while the national average stands at 7.78 per cent. The highest rate was in Prince Edward Island, where 14.15 per cent of people left untreated. In New Brunswick, the figure was 12.85 per cent.
The situation has raised concerns among residents and healthcare professionals alike. Peter Phillips, a Moncton resident, experienced this firsthand when he went to the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital emergency department after experiencing chest pain following quadruple bypass surgery in Saint John, N.B. After six hours, he left without seeing a physician. His case is not unique, as he was not the only one who left the ER that day.
Phillips has since started an online group for New Brunswickers to share their health care stories, hoping to bring attention to the issue. He expressed his concern, stating that people are dying, and it's sad. Nova Scotia Health Minister Michelle Thompson acknowledged that a portion of the population leaves ERs due to wait times.
Thompson has suggested several solutions to address the issue, including starting treatment while patients wait in the ER, with possibilities like blood work, cardiograms, and diagnostic imaging. She also mentioned efforts to provide treatment options outside and inside the ER, such as virtual urgent care and primary care in communities.
Samantha Dagres, communications manager at MEI, stated that 10 per cent of all ER visits are related to prescription renewals. This highlights the need for more accessible primary care and community-based services, which could help reduce the strain on ERs.
In an effort to emulate successful models, Thompson suggested looking to France, where immediate care centers treat level 3 cases, which are non-life-threatening but still requiring urgent treatment. This could potentially help reduce wait times and ensure that more patients receive the treatment they need.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that addressing the issue of ER wait times and untreated patients is a priority for both healthcare professionals and the general public in the Maritimes.
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