Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) says its emergency department is making it "easier for patients" with minor cold and flu symptoms to receive care through its "highly successful" minor injury online booking system and new Pink Zone treatment area, starting Thursday, Sept. 28.
The Barrie hospital says patients will be able to book next-day appointments as of Wednesday, Sept. 27 through the new booking portal.
To decrease overall wait-times for patients and prevent emergency department overcrowding at the busiest times, RVH piloted a program this past summer that diverted patients with a minor ailment such as a sprain, strain, or potential simple fracture to an arm or leg from the ER to booked same- or next-day appointments.
With the fall here and rates of flu, cold and respiratory illnesses such as RSV and COVID expected to rise, RVH says it's making patients with those symptoms eligible to use the booking system.
In addition, pre-booked patients will bypass the emergency department entrance and triage area altogether. Patients are instructed to enter the hospital through the Atrium entrance and follow the pink wayfinding signs to the Pink Zone registration and treatment area where they will be seen by emergency department medical staff.
“We are always looking for ways to support our community and improve the patient experience,” Sharon Ramagnano, RVH's operations director, emergency, critical care and trauma, says in a news release. “Our COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic was very well received last year, so we are pleased be able to add those services to our booking system at a key time of year where patient volumes increase in the emergency department with respiratory illnesses.”
Patients can book appointments Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The booking link can be found on the RVH website under emergency department or by clicking here.
Patients are encouraged to seek care from their primary care provider first. However, outside of the ED Minor Conditions Booking Portal, you can also call 8-1-1, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or consider a local walk-in clinic.
