The occupancy rate at the Sept-Îles Regional Hospital Emergency Department is 260% this Sunday, April 16. This is the highest stretcher occupancy rate in all of Quebec.
The phenomenon has been going on for several days in Sept-Îles as the number of people presenting to the emergency room greatly exceeds the reception capacity of the Regional Hospital. In the most recent Health Index update this Sunday afternoon, 26 stretchers would be needed in Sept-Îles while the capacity is only 10.
Already yesterday Saturday, the occupancy rate of the stretchers was on average 230%, according to the daily report of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS).
Patients stay on stretchers for a very long time. The average length of stay on the stretcher reached 21 hours and 12 minutes.
The other hospitals in the region are in a much less critical situation. At Le Royer Hospital in Baie-Comeau, the occupancy rate is 100%. In Port-Cartier, it was 0% at 3 p.m. Sunday.