We are enhancing our digital information systems to provide safer and more connected care. During this update, delays are expected in the Emergency Department. We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements. More information on what’s changing and why.
The Emergency Departments at Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital provide treatment for people in our community who experience sudden illness or trauma. Our Emergency Departments are open 24/7. They are staffed by emergency medicine experts with access to state-of-the-art diagnostic assessment equipment and laboratory services.
We are excited to be working with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Program as the first community member of Kids Health Alliance (KHA). This great partnership brings together some of the best resources for providing care to children and youth. The KHA will focus on the Emergency Department, inpatient paediatrics, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Coming to our Emergency Department
There has been a recent increase in the number of measles cases in Ontario. If you need to visit an Oak Valley Health hospital or clinic, and are experiencing measles symptoms, please call ahead to avoid exposing others. More information.
Bring a list or samples of all your medications. In addition, let us know if you have any allergies. Many pharmacies will now prepare individualized information charts for you.
To ensure timely, quality care for the most serious conditions, we will triage you to determine the nature and severity of your condition. There are five triage levels with 1 being the most critical to 5 being non-urgent. Patients are seen in the order of their triage level, not based on their time of arrival. If your condition changes while you are waiting to see a doctor, let the nurse know immediately.
Our Emergency Department at Markham Stouffville Hospital is divided into zones depending on the severity of health issues. These are called the green, yellow, orange, and blue/red zones.
During your visit, you will be seen by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, as well as a nurse. After initial assessment and treatment, you may be admitted to the hospital, transferred to a specialty hospital, or discharged home.
Measles
There has been a recent increase in the number of measles cases in Ontario.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness with symptoms that include: high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, followed by a red blotchy rash that spreads from the face down to the body.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, stay home and call your health care provider or local public health unit immediately. Monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days. If you need to visit an Oak Valley Health hospital or clinic, please call ahead to avoid exposing others.
Public Health Ontario also shares up-to-date exposure alerts and guidance.
Visitor guidelines
We are experiencing increased ED volumes at Markham Stouffville Hospital. There are lots of patients in the department and we do not have the physical space. Therefore, at this time, we are limiting visitors.
- Adults will be allowed one visitor to be with them for the duration of their stay
- Paediatric patients will be allowed two visitors to be with them for the duration of their stay
While we know how important it is for patients to have visitors, we need to balance patient safety with patient needs and overall patient experience.
These changes are temporary and are being put in place to prevent overcrowding that would make the Emergency Department unsafe. We are asking our patients and families for understanding and support for these changes.
This restriction only applies to the Emergency Department at Markham Stouffville Hospital.
Self check-in kiosks
Self check-in kiosks
You can now register yourself when you arrive at Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Emergency Department using our pre-triage kiosks. Scan your health card then follow the prompts on screen. Once complete, you will receive a call number to be seen by a nurse. You will need to provide your call number ticket and health/identification card.
We’re pleased to offer several languages on our kiosks to enhance our patient experience and serve our diverse patient population:
- Farsi
- English
- French
- Tamil
- Simplified Chinese
- Traditional Chinese
- Spanish
Parking at our Emergency Department
Find out about parking at Markham Stouffville Hospital.
Find our about parking at Uxbridge Hospital.
Where to go for post-surgical problems
If you are visiting the Emergency Department for post-surgical problems, it is best to return to the hospital that conducted the surgery. They will have quick access to your important medical information.
Surgical patients at Markham Stouffville Hospital or Uxbridge Hospital have discharge instructions from their physician to follow. If you’re experiencing complications, call your physician or come to the Emergency Department.
Going home from our Emergency Department
When you go home after discharge from the Emergency Department at Markham Stouffville Hospital or Uxbridge Hosital, you can download the CoHealth app to your smartphone. CoHealth will provide you with treatment-specific aftercare instructions, help manage your medications and follow-up appointments, help you find community care resources, and provide an opportunity to submit feedback.
Additional services in our Emergency Department at Markham Stouffville Hospital
At Markham Stouffville Hospital, we provide the following additional services:
- Geriatric emergency management nurses – For patients over the age of 75, we provide specialized frailty-focused nursing services in our Emergency Department with our geriatric emergency management (GEM) team. The nurse practitioners on this team provide geriatric assessments for physical, mental, and functional abilities with a goal to enhance the patient’s daily living in the community to maintain their independence.
- Crisis services – Our crisis team provides 24/7 service to the Emergency Department. The urgent care clinic can provide follow-up appointments within 48 hours if required.
Alternatives to the Emergency Department
Wait times at Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Emergency Department is significantly longer than usual. If you have a health concern, which is not an emergency, there are a number of options for you and your family: