Santé Québec explains why emergency room congestion is worse in Montreal

Frédéric Abergel, left, and Véronique Wilson, right, from Santé Québec, hold a press conference in Montreal on 10 January 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

There was an increase in the number of emergency room visits in January between 2023 and 2024. The situation is particularly acute in Montreal, partly because cases are more complex and the population is aging more.

These are some of the reasons given by Santé Québec for the greater pressure on emergency departments in Montreal.

“We are seeing an increase of more than 600 visits per day throughout Quebec compared with the same period last year,” said Véronique Wilson, assistant director general of network coordination and operations support at Santé Québec.

At Santé Québec’s weekly press briefing on the situation in emergency departments on Friday, Wilson pointed out that in the Montreal region alone, there were 200 extra visits per day to emergency departments compared with the same period last year.

Between Jan. 7 and 20, the increase in daily visits to emergency departments was highest in Montreal, at 9.2 per cent over the last year, and “in the 450 region it was almost 7 per cent.”

“This increase in visits can be explained in particular by the needs and complexity of the Montreal clientele. People who come to emergency departments are often sicker, older and have more complex needs,” said Wilson.

“As a result, they are more likely to be lying on stretchers and need more time to be cared for, which increases the stretcher occupancy rate.”

Wilson also pointed out that specialist hospitals, including the CHUM, MUHC, Jewish General Hospital, Sacré-Cœur Hospital and Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, serve patients who live outside the city. Out-of-town patients sometimes account for more than 30 per cent of the clientele at these hospitals.

On Friday afternoon, the occupancy rate in Montreal emergency departments was 145 per cent, compared with a provincial average of 121 per cent. The highest rates were in Laval (171 per cent) and the Laurentians (154 per cent).

“The aim is to temporarily increase the number of beds available in a facility, outside the emergency department. This balances the pressure on the floors and in the emergency department,” Wilson said.

“We know very well that increasing the number of beds on units alone does not solve hospital congestion and that it should be a temporary solution. That’s why hospitals are currently making great efforts to improve hospital fluidity,’ she said.

Strong spread of influenza

Quebec’s public health director, Dr. Luc Boileau, has reported a drop in the number of cases of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) across the province.

However, cases of influenza are on the rise. Until mid-February, the curve should continue to rise.

“So, we have to anticipate that there will be consequences for people and hospitalizations. There are often between 6,000 and 7,000 hospitalisations a year, and even around 300 to 400 people going into intensive care. Unfortunately, there are also deaths,” he told the press.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against complications from influenza, and Dr. Boileau reminded everyone that there is still time to get vaccinated, since the peak of the flu season has not yet been reached.

To date, 1.7 million Quebecers have been vaccinated against influenza. “Which is very good,” Boileau said, but he is encouraging those who haven’t had their dose to protect themselves before the peak of the flu virus circulation.

Boileau pointed out that the vaccination rate among 65-year-olds is just under 60 per cent across the province, with the target being 70 per cent. In CHSLDs and private seniors' residences, the public health target has been reached.

“When we reach 60 per cent, we’re satisfied, we’re happy at 70 per cent,” he said.

Boileau was also delighted that the measles epidemic that broke out in December has been contained for the time being. As of Jan. 21, 13 cases had been confirmed in the Laurentians, Montreal and Laval. He is calling on families who have not been vaccinated against measles, particularly children, to make an appointment to receive the vaccine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 24, 2025.

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