Emergency Rooms Overwhelmed in Drummondville and Victoriaville

The situation is particularly critical at Sainte-Croix hospital of Drummondville, where 41 stretchers are occupied for only 19 functional, representing an occupancy rate of 216%. four patients have been waiting for treatment on stretchers for more than 24 hours. At the Hôtel-Dieu d’Arthabaska in Victoriaville, the occupancy rate climbs to 181%, with 29 stretchers occupied for 16 available.

Difficult Road Conditions and Increase in Minor Injuries

As observed by The Twenty55, travel to appointments and daily outings was made more difficult this morning due to slippery road conditions. This situation has contributed to an increase in emergency room visits for injuries related to falls, fractures, as well as for evaluations following accidents and road trips.

According to the Sûreté du Québec, Sergeant Benoît clarified that no serious or major accidents had been reported in the region at the time of the report. In Drummondville, the emergency department has not observed a important increase in ambulance arrivals, despite high traffic.

Medical staff at Sainte-Croix Hospital, interviewed this morning, indicated that it is indeed not uncommon during difficult winter conditions to see an increase in injuries linked to falls. “People are sometimes extra vigilant, but a simple loss of balance, on foot or in a car, can quickly lead to a visit to the emergency room,” illustrated a doctor while applying a cast to a patient.

New Water Damage Complicates the Situation

A new water damage incident has further increased the workload of the medical staff at the emergency room and Sainte-Croix Hospital. As reported by The Twenty55, another incident that occurred on friday, December 26, put a strain on already burdened teams.

Already under pressure, the emergency department at Sainte-Croix Hospital in Drummondville must also deal with the repercussions of a recent piping incident, which continues to affect several sectors of the first level of the establishment and force a major reorganization of services.

according to findings from Vingt55, several areas of the Youville pavilion, as well as the emergency area, remain affected. The presence of a large construction site complicates travel and restricts access to certain areas for both patients and staff. No unit has been spared, forcing several services to temporarily relocate.

The oncology department is among the most affected. Since the incident, its activities have been moved to the day surgery room. This reorganization imposes significant adjustments on medical and nursing staff,who must adapt their procedures and ways of working in a challenging context.