The person in charge of the emergency department at Guelph General Hospital is saying that programs like the University of Guelph’s alcohol recovery room can lessen the strain on hospital resources. The director, Andrea de Jong, explains that the recovery room, opening on March 17 for St. Patrick’s Day, can redirect patients who don’t really need to be in the emergency department.
She adds that the program also helps the hospital allocate more resources and staff to patients in urgent need of medical care.
The University of Guelph’s alcohol recovery room is available on specific holidays or events, with the goal of assisting students who have consumed too much alcohol but don't need to go to the emergency room.
The program is private and voluntary, so students can leave whenever they want, with nurses and addiction support workers running the room.
The staff evaluate, monitor, and assist students until they are well enough to go home.
The recovery room helps redirect patients who don’t need the emergency department, according to the director of Guelph General Hospital’s emergency department.
