Canada’s emergency room 12-hour crisis sparks patient safety concerns
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — A growing emergency room crisis in Canada is raising alarms about patient safety after a woman reported waiting more than 12 hours for treatment, underscoring mounting pressure on hospitals and prompting broader concerns for healthcare systems globally, Fox News Digital reports.
Amanda Gushue, 37, sought emergency care for severe abdominal pain after being referred by her primary physician for a swollen appendix. After two hours in triage, she was told the wait to see a provider could stretch from five to 15 hours. She ultimately waited another 10 to 12 hours before receiving care.
“This is what we deal with when we go to the hospital on a regular basis — you’re looking at spending a full day there,” Gushue told Fox News Digital.
Overcrowding, staffing shortages strain emergency departments
Gushue described an overwhelmed emergency department in Nova Scotia, where nearly all 150 seats were filled. She recounted how an elderly patient with a head wound, “bleeding profusely,” waited two hours before being seen.
She attributed delays to physician shortages, saying, “We have tons of nurses, but no doctors.” Even after admission, she reported subpar care and lack of privacy.
National data reflects the strain. Canada recorded more than 16.1 million emergency department visits in 2024–2025, up from 15.5 million the previous year, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Contributing factors include staffing and bed shortages, limited access to primary care, and overcrowding, the Canadian Medical Association said as cited in the report.
Frontline physicians describe worsening conditions. Emergency doctor Dr. Warren Thirsk said overcrowding has forced patients to stand or sit on floors.
“People who can stand, stand. Some are on the ground, and we’re hoping they’re alive,” he told the Calgary Journal. “What used to be a mass casualty event is now the new norm.”
Dr. Michael Howlett, president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, echoed the concern.
“I’ve worked in emergency departments since 1987, and it’s by far the worst it’s ever been. It’s not even close,” he told CityNews. He added, “We’ve got people dying in waiting rooms because we don’t have a place to put them.”
Implications for U.S. providers and care delivery models
For United States healthcare providers, Canada’s experience offers a cautionary signal. While the systems differ, similar pressures including workforce shortages, rising patient volumes, and care bottlenecks—are already affecting hospitals and emergency departments across the U.S.
Extended wait times can increase clinical risk, delay interventions, and strain provider capacity.
The Canadian case also highlights how gaps in primary care access can drive unnecessary emergency visits, compounding system inefficiencies.
To solve these problems, multiple service providers are exploring operational approaches which include advanced triage systems, digital patient management solutions and outsourcing administrative tasks.
The delegation of non-clinical tasks which include scheduling, documentation and revenue cycle management (RCM) will result in increased operational efficiency for high-demand environments.
Gushue, who has since undergone surgery and is recovering, voiced frustration shared by many patients navigating delays.
“I would rather pay for my healthcare at this point and get treated fairly,” she said.
