You’ve been waiting in the hospital Emergency Room for what seems like hours, then someone new arrives and they’re seen immediately. Why does that happen?

Bruce Krentz from the Northern Health Region says there are 4 levels that patients are triaged (sorted) by.  They are critical, emergent, urgent and less urgent.

Here he provides examples of each.

“Critical things would be somebody who’s suspected of a stroke or a heart attack, if you have severe breathing problems, if you’ve been in a serious car crash or an accident, or if you are unconscious. Emergent concerns are severe stomach pains, large broken bones, if you have a head injury or a severe allergic reaction. Urgent are things like smaller fractures, an asthma attack, a seizure, vomiting and diarrhea and then less urgent concerns would be a cough or congestion, sore ears, eyes or throat, minor cuts, sprains or strains.”

Krentz said if your symptoms are changing while you are waiting for care, to be sure to let someone know.