Keep the Emergency Department out of your Summer Plans
From Fraser Health. As we kick off the month with Canada Day celebrations, we’d like you to stay safe this summer.
With the warmer weather, more and more people are spending time outside, at the pool, the beaches and parks. Families are packing their cars and going on road trips. As you plan your hot days and summer nights, here are a few simple steps to avoid unnecessary trips to the Emergency:
- Don’t drink and drive. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water, limit your sun and heat exposure by looking for places with lots of shade.
- Call 8-1-1 for confidential health information and non-emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance (TTY), call 7-1-1. Through 8-1-1, you have access to nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, or health services representatives who can help you get the information you need to manage your health concerns or those of your family.
- For non-urgent care during office hours, call your family doctor or the doctor on call for the practice or clinic.
- Consider going to a local walk-in clinic. Call ahead or visit HealthLink BC to search for a clinic that’s open during holidays.
- Know the holiday hours for your local pharmacy or drug store, talk to your pharmacist and ensure your prescriptions are up to date and filled prior to the holidays.
- If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control at
1-800-567-8911.
If at any time you feel you require urgent medical attention, do not hesitate to go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.
Emergency services at our hospitals are available 24 hours a day; however, at times they may experience higher than normal volumes. A triage system is used in Emergency to ensure priority is given to those patients requiring the most urgent care. Please be patient while our staff try to see all patients as quickly as possible.
For more tips, visit Fraser Health’s website on summer safety: http://fraserhealth.ca/your_health/seasonal-health/summer-safety/summer-safety
Have fun this summer and remember to stay safe!