The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so that patients can be treated as quickly as possible.
Our teams handle a range of medical issues, from minor ailments to life-threatening emergencies.
How triage works
A specialized nurse greets each patient, assesses their condition and determines the priority level for their care.
Each case is categorized according to a five-level national triage and acuity scale, from non-urgent to resuscitation.
This categorization ensures that the most urgent cases, i.e. the most vulnerable patients, are treated first.
Patients who do not require urgent care may have to wait longer if an urgent case arrives that takes priority. Therefore, patients who arrive after you may be seen before you because their condition is more serious.
If your condition worsens after your assessment, it is essential that you request a reassessment.
When to go to the Emergency Department
If you (or someone in your care) have an urgent medical condition or are experiencing a crisis, go to the Emergency Department at the nearest hospital or call 9-1-1.
Do not drive if your condition makes you unfit to so do (for example, if you suspect you have a heart problem, severe pain, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness).
If you have any questions or doubts about your state of health, contact Tele-Care at any time by dialing 8-1-1. Tele-Care staff will be able to advise you on the need for urgent care and guide you through the next steps.
Support in cases of sexual or domestic violence
If you are a victim of sexual or domestic violence, go to the nearest Emergency Department to receive support and a forensic examination.
At triage, simply ask to see the SANE program nurse; you won’t have to explain the reason for your visit.
Other care options
For less urgent situations, consider these alternatives.
Several options are available to you in case of an unexpected health issue.
Don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner? Sign up for NB Health Link.
To determine the best care path for your situation, visit the Government of New Brunswick's Access to Health Care page.
Families of hospitalized patients can help relieve overcrowding in emergency departments.
Share your experience and improvement ideas with us: Write to us at Qualite.Quality [at] vitalitenb.ca
