Code Orange was called at 6:20 p.m. and remained in place until 8:45 p.m. Additional resources were needed to treat the victims in the hospital’s emergency department, according to a statement from the province. Both frontline and support staff who were not scheduled to work responded by coming in, the release said. RCMP told CBC News that a serious accident on Blooming Point Road forced the highway to be closed at Tracadie Cross at 5:20 p.m. For reasons of privacy, the hospital did not provide further details on how seriously the four people were injured in the crash.
Waiting time over 10 hours
The accident occurred at a particularly busy time in the emergency department. As of 3:45 p.m., Health PEI’s website showed more than 90 people in the emergency department, including 55 in the waiting room still awaiting treatment. The estimated wait was more than 10 hours for all — including 15 people classified as more urgent. This screenshot shows the status of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital emergency department at 3:45 p.m. of Monday. (CBC) Code Orange’s press release noted that PEI’s emergency departments are busy with COVID cases and short staffing is also straining the system. “Please be patient and expect longer wait times. Staff are doing everything possible to provide care safely under difficult circumstances,” said Health PEI CEO Dr. Michael Gardam. “Please be respectful of these staff, who work so hard.” Gardam also thanked staff who came to the hospital in response to Code Orange.
