CHEO visits skyrocket

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Eddie Rwema

EMC news - The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario has seen a record-high number of patients in its emergency department this year and is asking members of the community to consider visiting their pediatrician or family doctor unless they are dealing with a true emergency.

CHEO is in the midst of the busiest viral season in its 38-year history, according to a statement released by the hospital.

"CHEO will always make sure that kids who urgently need our help will get our help. But it's important that families with less-urgent conditions look at other options available to them in the community," Dr. Ken Farion, medical director, emergency said in a statement.

The hospital is currently seeing 15 per cent more patients than last year, and 33 per cent more than the previous year.

Last Wednesday only, CHEO saw more than 265 patients in the 24 hour period.

February and March are normally the busiest months in CHEO's emergency department due to the high rates of respiratory infections and viral illnesses.

Despite significant improvements made to the emergency department in recent years, the current volumes are still too high for the hospital.

"We were very proud of what we accomplished as a team, but even after those improvements the current volumes are simply too high. And it is clear that the biggest part of this increase is patients with less-urgent cases that could be seen elsewhere," said Dr. Farion.

"To ensure the resources are available when a child or youth really needs us, we are asking for the community's help in making appropriate decisions about when to come to emergency."

CHEO recommends parents or guardians bring their child to the emergency room if they're vomiting many times a day, have severe pain, are experiencing shortness of breath or they develop a rash that doesn't turn white when pushed, amongst other symptoms.

During viral season, CHEO strongly emphasizes that parents or guardians encourage their sick child to drink extra fluids.