Welcome to Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, Emergency Department, a part of Rural Roads Health Services (RRHS). We are proud to offer a full-service ED, with care practices tailored to meet the needs of the community.

Many people come to the ED with health concerns that are not true emergencies. In many cases, these issues can be safely managed at a walk-in clinic, by your family doctor, or even at home with self-care. When the ED is used for non-urgent needs, it can delay care for patients experiencing serious medical emergencies.

We want to ensure that everyone gets the right care, in the right place, at the right time. If you are ever unsure; it is always best to seek medical advice.

When to go to the ER

Go to the ED or call 911 immediately for symptoms such as:

• Breathing problems: Severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Chest pain or pressure: Persistent or severe chest pain or pressure, which could be a sign of a heart attack.
• Stroke symptoms: Sudden confusion, severe headache, trouble speaking, numbness or weakness, or a sudden change in vision.
• Severe bleeding: Bleeding that won’t stop with pressure, or bleeding noted from the rectum, in vomit, or in urine.
• Major trauma: Significant injuries from a fall, car accident, or other sudden incident.
• Head injuries: Head injuries with loss of consciousness or confusion.
• Severe pain: Sudden or severe pain that is not relieved by medication.
• Mental health crises: Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harm to others
• Loss of consciousness: Fainting or inability to wake up.

When NOT to go to the ED

You do not need to go to the ED for non-urgent conditions. Instead, consider:

• Your family doctor: For ongoing conditions, prescription refills, or general medical advice.
• Urgent Care Centres or Walk-in Clinics: For issues that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening, such as:
  • Minor cuts that might need stitches.
  • Sprains, strains, or minor fractures.
  • Fever, coughs, or colds.
  • Earaches or minor infections.
  • Allergic reactions or minor skin rashes.
• Virtual Urgent Care: A way to access urgent care from home by visiting Urgent Care Ontario.

Resources

For advice on the right place to receive the care you need, you can get help through these sources:

• Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
• For a listing of Walk in and Urgent Care Clinics, please visit:
  • https://www.southwesthealthline.ca/displayService.aspx?id=192635
  • Walk-In Medical Clinics – South West – southwesthealthline.ca
• Health Care Connect is a program which helps Ontarians without a family health care provider find one. To register, call 1-800-445-1822, or for more information, visit: http://health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/healthcareconnect/public/

What to expect when coming to the ED

The Emergency Team

The ED team is made up of experienced physicians, a nurse practitioner, nurses and clerical staff who are there to support patients and their families.

During your visit, you may also meet other members of our health care team, including housekeepers, dietary, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, students, residents, and various health disciplines.

Upon Arrival

• Please proceed to Registration to complete your check-in.
• Once registered, you will be directed to Triage.

Triage

The Triage Nurse has specialized training to:

• Assess how quickly you need treatment
• Determine the most appropriate area for your care
• During triage, you will be asked about your symptoms and overall health. Based on this assessment, you may be directed to the waiting room or taken directly into the Emergency Department.

Waiting and Priority of Care

After triage, patients are placed on a priority list based on the severity of their condition, not the order of arrival.

• This means someone arriving after you may be seen first if their needs are more urgent.
• The Emergency Department may appear quiet, but staff may be caring for critically ill patients behind the scenes.
• Wait times may also be affected by emergencies, test results, or imaging procedures.

While You Wait

We understand that waiting can be difficult. Please know that:

• Our team is working hard to move patients through as efficiently and safely as possible.
• A nurse will be nearby to answer questions and monitor your condition.
• Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we provide care to all patients according to their needs.

What to Bring to the ED?

When you come to the ED, or for any hospital or medical visit, be sure to bring:

• Your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card
• Medical insurance information if you live outside Ontario
• All of your prescription and over-the-counter medications, including herbal supplements and vitamins
• Up-to-date medication list from your pharmacy
• Important information about medication allergies or past medical history

Can My Family Visit Me?

• Our hospital encourages family-centred care. We recognize the important role families play in supporting patients. When visiting is permitted, we kindly ask that families follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone:
• Follow team members instructions regarding the number of visitors and appropriate noise levels.
• Respect the privacy of other patients by remaining at your loved one’s bedside and not wandering through the department.
• Designate one spokesperson for your family to communicate with the team members. This helps reduce confusion and ensures important information is shared clearly.
• Abide by our hospital’s Code of Conduct. Aggressive or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated in the Emergency Department.
• These guidelines help us provide the best care possible to all patients while keeping the Emergency Department safe and supportive.

Why are you asking me to pay for Services?

A valid OHIP card covers most hospital services, but there are a few things that are not covered:

• Ambulance charge of $45 (OHIP covers the remainder of the cost)
• Medical equipment such as crutches, casts, knee immobilizers
• Charges for a semi-private or private room, if requested by the patient
• Transportation home from the hospital

If you are not covered by OHIP or your OHIP card has expired, you will be charged for your hospital visit as well as a physician fee.

Hours of Operation:

The TDMH ED is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact Number

For patient inquiries, and all general information, please call switchboard at 519-842 3611 ext. 0 to be transferred to the ED.

Location

The ED is located on the main floor.