The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown activated Code Orange protocols to bring in more staff Monday night in response to a two-vehicle crash that injured four people in Tracadie Cross.
Code Orange was called at 18:20 and remained in place until 20:45
Additional resources are needed to deal with victims in the hospital’s emergency department, according to a release from the province. Both frontline and support staff, who were not scheduled to work, responded by coming in, the release said.
RCMP told CBC News a serious crash on Blooming Point Road forced the highway to be closed at Tracadie Cross at 5:20 p.m.
For confidentiality reasons, the hospital did not provide further details on how seriously the four people were injured in the crash.
Waiting time more than 10 hours
The incident happened at a particularly busy time in the emergency department.
As of 3:45 p.m., Health PEI’s website showed more than 90 people in the emergency room, including 55 in the waiting room, still waiting for treatment. The expected wait was more than 10 hours for everyone – including 15 people classified as most urgent.
This screenshot shows the state of emergency at Queen Elizabeth Hospital at 3:45pm on Monday. (CBC)
The Code Orange news release noted that PEI’s emergency departments are busy with COVID cases and staff shortages are also straining the system.
“Please be patient and expect longer wait times. Staff are doing everything they can to provide safe treatment under difficult circumstances,” said Health PEI CEO Dr. Michael Gardam.
“Please show respect to these staff who work so hard.”
Gardaí also thanked staff who attended the hospital in response to the code orange.
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