Although Stevenson makes every effort to reduce wait times, there are things that you, the patient, can do to decrease that amount of time you are waiting in our Emergency Department:

• If you are sent to the Emergency Department by your doctor or from a clinic, be insistent on receiving a referral letter to bring with you upon arrival. This may help to reduce treatment time as it provides staff and physicians with a clear idea of your symptoms and the referring physician’s concerns.  
  
• Each and every time you visit the Hospital, bring a detailed list of medications you are currently taking. The list should include all prescription, over-the-counter and recreational substances, as well as the dosage and frequency in which you take them.
  
• If at all possible, plan to come to the Emergency Department during off-peak hours (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) as this could potentially reduce your wait time. Many patients wait until Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. to come to the Emergency department, which ultimately can result in longer waits.
  
• Seasonal variances (ie. flu outbreaks in the winter) may create more traffic in the Emergency Department than in other seasons. Unfortunately, our bed count does not vary based on outbreaks. The winter months are always busier as many people are suffering from severe cold and flu symptoms. In summer, sick counts drop significantly and as a result, the waiting room is less busy.
  
• Even though the waiting room may appear empty that does not mean that there will not be a wait. The Emergency Department may already be occupied with a trauma or other seriously ill patients. Patients are treated based on their level of need, and not their time of arrival.  
  
• Be sure to make appropriate arrangements to ensure you can leave the hospital as soon as possible after discharge. This means arranging appropriate transportation or a family member who can take you home.