![]() For More Informationįrom Patients Who Know: A Hospital Handbook – This guide is full of tips and tools to navigate the hospital system based on real Canadian patients. From the University Health Network (UHN).Coded messages often announced over a public address system of a hospital See the Wait Times for Diagnostic Imaging Tool to find other hospitals across Ontario and their wait times. Health Quality Ontario has an online tool to help you check wait times. You can request from your doctor a location outside of where you live to get a test done sooner if you're willing to travel a little bit. Other parts of the province might have less wait times in some cases. Getting a diagnostic imaging test - a Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan - when you are not in an emergency room situation can sometimes take months to get an appointment. To get a second opinion, you must first get a referral from your family physician or the specialist you have seen last. In Ontario, there is no limit on the number of medical opinions you can get for an illness, surgery, or treatment diagnosis. If you are not satisfied with the medical diagnosis you get from one doctor you are entitled to request a second opinion. In emergency or short-notice situation, when an in-person interpreter may not immediately available for the language you request, the hospital may need to use telephone and/or video remote interpretation. If you or your family member would feel more comfortable speaking in another language, you can make a request for an interpreter. Many hospitals offer on site, in-person interpreter services for many languages, including ASL (sign language). Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “Why do I need to have this procedure?”.Before you sign any consent forms for a procedure, make sure you read and understand for what you are giving consent.Ask what tests and procedures are being done and why.Write down the names of the doctors and caregivers you see.Consider keeping a journal if your health care experience is extensive (for example, you go in for an emergency but end up admitted for days).Write down the answers to these concerns once you speak to the caregivers. While you wait, write down or record on your phone questions for the doctors, nurses, etc.Bring a list of all medications you've been taking at home.It’s a good idea to have an advocate with you (like a spouse, a friend or relative, or someone you trust) who can speak on your behalf if you are too ill to represent yourself. This process can take some time, so be prepared to wait depending on the level of urgency of your emergency. Once you are registered, a triage nurse will determine which area of care will see you next. Family doctor’s name and emergency contact number.Health card or insurance plan number if you do not have OHIP.Learn more about ambulance fees at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website.Īt the ER you will see a clerk who will register you by asking you to provide your: ![]() ![]() In some cases, the hospital may determine that you were not in a life-threatening situation and may decide to charge you the full fee. The cost for using an ambulance service in Ontario is $240 but the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) will cover the majority of that cost. The hospital will send you an invoice to your home usually about a month after your visit. You will have to pay a $45 fee for using an ambulance after your visit. If you’ve had an accident or feel you or someone else is in a life-threatening situation, dial 9-1-1 and an ambulance will be dispatched to take you to the hospital.Ĭalling an ambulance won’t necessarily get you faster attention once you are at the hospital. This online tool to help you find health services like hospitals, walk-in clinics, physiotherapy and mental health centres near you. Some alternative options to the ER are can be found through Health Care Options. You can go to an Urgent Care Centre instead If you or your loved one has an infection, the flu, an ear ache, a minor burn or a broken bone. Urgent Care Centres tend to have shorter wait times. If you’ve never been to a hospital in Canada, knowing what to expect from a hospital visit can be difficult. There are some things to keep in mind before you go.Depending on your situation, and if you have a non-life-threatening medical emergency, you have other options instead of going to a hospital emergency room (ER). What you might not know about hospital emergency room (ER) visits. ![]()
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