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Quebec ERs See Fewer Patients During Habs Games
8 May
Summary
- Emergency rooms in Montreal experienced fewer visits during Canadiens playoff game nights.
- A 2011 study showed a 17% drop in ER visits during a major Olympic hockey final.
- Some hospitals, like the Montreal Heart Institute, saw a 20% increase in cardiac cases during games.
Emergency rooms across Quebec, particularly in the Montreal area, have observed a notable decrease in patient visits on nights when the Montreal Canadiens play during the Stanley Cup playoffs. This phenomenon, which offers temporary relief to hospitals often operating above capacity, has been noted by healthcare officials. Zackary Levine from McGill University Health Centre stated that people often prioritize watching the games over seeking non-urgent medical care.
A 2011 Canadian study found a 17% decline in emergency room visits in Ontario during the 2010 Winter Olympics men's hockey final. This trend has been echoed provincially, with Santé Québec reporting approximately 100 fewer patients per evening on average in various Quebec regions during Canadiens playoff games.
While some hospitals like the Royal Victoria Hospital and Montreal General Hospital have seen reduced occupancy rates during games, this pattern is not universal. Pediatric hospitals like the Montreal Children's Hospital and CHU Sainte-Justine have not reported a consistent correlation. Conversely, the Montreal Heart Institute has noted a roughly 20% increase in cardiac-related cases on game nights, attributing it to the emotional intensity of playoff hockey.
Following game conclusions, emergency departments typically return to normal or slightly increased patient volumes. Ambulance services like Urgences-santé also report a dip in calls during games, followed by a rise afterward. Healthcare professionals advise non-urgent patients to utilize clinics or health lines like 811 before heading to emergency departments.
