What to expect and how to prepare

General guidance for a typical Canadian ER visit — not medical advice, and not a substitute for what the staff caring for you tell you to do.

What to expect while you're waiting

You'll be triaged first, not necessarily seen first. A nurse assesses how urgent your condition is using CTAS (see our About page) — that assessment, not arrival order, drives who gets seen next.
Vitals get rechecked periodically. While you wait, staff may recheck your blood pressure, temperature, or pulse — this is normal monitoring, not a sign you're about to be seen.
You may move between waiting areas. An initial waiting room, then a second area after initial assessment or tests, then a treatment space — this is a normal part of the flow, not a mistake.
Tests often take longer than the "wait" itself. Blood work and imaging can take hours to come back, and you may wait again afterward for a doctor to review results with you.
It's okay to flag a change. If your symptoms get noticeably worse while you wait, tell the triage desk right away — you don't need to just sit and wait it out.
Long waits for non-urgent issues are common, not personal. If someone arrives after you and is seen first, it almost always means their condition was assessed as more urgent.

Your provincial health card (and photo ID if you have it)
A list of current medications and dosages — or the medications themselves in their original containers
A brief list of allergies and major past medical history, especially if it's complex
Glasses, hearing aids, or mobility aids you normally use
Phone charger — waits can run long
A book, headphones, or something to pass the time
A sweater or layer — ERs are often kept cool
Contact info for a support person, in case staff need to reach someone on your behalf

Valuables and large amounts of cash. ERs are busy public spaces without secure storage for personal belongings.
A large group of visitors. Many Canadian ERs limit the number of people who can accompany a patient into treatment areas.
Food or drink, without checking first. If a test or procedure requires you to fast, eating or drinking beforehand can delay your care — ask the triage nurse before consuming anything if you're unsure.
One important exception: if the visit involves a suspected poisoning, overdose, or reaction to a substance or medication, bring the container or packaging with you rather than leaving it behind — it can meaningfully speed up treatment.