Every ER in Canada uses CTAS — the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale. It's not first-come-first-served; it's based on medical urgency.
Every ER in Canada uses CTAS — the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale. This is why someone who arrives after you may be seen first. It's not first-come-first-served; it's based on medical urgency.
Level 1 — Resuscitation: Life-threatening. Cardiac arrest, major trauma, not breathing. Seen immediately.
Level 2 — Emergent: Could become life-threatening. Chest pain, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms, serious allergic reactions. Seen within 15 minutes.
Level 3 — Urgent: Serious but stable. Broken bones, moderate pain, abdominal pain, high fever. Target: seen within 30 minutes, but waits can be longer.
Level 4 — Less Urgent: Not immediately dangerous. Minor injuries, earaches, mild sprains, rashes. May wait several hours.
Level 5 — Non-Urgent: Could be seen at a walk-in clinic. Minor cuts, cold symptoms, prescription renewals. Longest waits — sometimes 6-10+ hours.
Why this matters: If you're a Level 4 and someone with chest pain (Level 2) arrives after you, they will be seen first. This is the system working as intended — it saves lives.
💡 If you're Level 4 or 5, consider whether a , walk-in clinic, or urgent care centre could help you faster.
Must-haves:
✅ Alberta Health Care card (or your PHN written down)
✅ Current medication list (screenshot from MyHealth Records works)
✅ Photo ID
✅ Phone charger — you may be there a while
Strongly recommended:
✅ List of allergies
✅ Name of your family doctor or clinic
✅ A support person (advocate) if possible
✅ Any recent lab results or imaging (screenshot from MyHealth or MyChart)
✅ Water bottle and a snack (you may wait many hours)
✅ Comfort items (blanket, book, headphones)
For children:
✅ Favourite comfort object, snacks, entertainment
✅ Child's immunization history
✅ Children's fever reducer (Tylenol/Advil) in case the wait is long — ask triage nurse before giving
If your condition changes while waiting: Go back to the triage desk immediately and say: "My symptoms have changed since I checked in. [Describe what changed.] Can I please be reassessed?" You have the right to be re-triaged.
If you've been waiting a very long time: It's reasonable to go to the desk and ask: "Can you give me an estimate of how much longer the wait might be?" Be polite — the staff are managing many patients.
If you feel you're being dismissed: You can say: "I understand it's busy, but I'm concerned because [specific symptom]. I'd feel more comfortable if I could be reassessed."
Do NOT leave without telling someone. If you decide to leave, tell the triage nurse. If you leave without being seen, there's no follow-up — nobody will call you.
Your rights in the ER: You have the right to an interpreter, to a support person, to understand what's happening, and to refuse any treatment. See our .
| Feature | Emergency Dept | Urgent Care |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | 24/7 | Varies — typically 8 AM-10 PM |
| Best for | Life-threatening or potentially life-threatening conditions | Urgent but not life-threatening (sprains, cuts needing stitches, infections) |
| Wait times | Often 3-10+ hours for non-critical | Usually shorter than ER |
| Imaging/labs | Full imaging, labs, blood bank | Some X-ray and basic labs |
| Specialists | On-call specialists available | Usually no specialists on-site |
Rule of thumb: If you're unsure, call 811 — a nurse will tell you whether you need ER or urgent care.
Check MyChart within 48 hours for your after-visit summary — it will include diagnoses, medications prescribed, and follow-up instructions.
Follow up with your family doctor (or a walk-in clinic) within the timeframe noted in your discharge papers. The ER treats immediate problems — your family doctor manages the follow-through.
Fill prescriptions immediately. If you were given a prescription, fill it the same day. If you can't afford it, tell the pharmacist — they may know about coverage options or alternatives. See our .
If symptoms return or worsen: Go back. Don't feel embarrassed about returning to the ER. Say: "I was here on [date] for [condition] and my symptoms have returned/worsened."
See our for a full walkthrough.