Emergency Department

Bluewater Health’s emergency departments in Sarnia and Petrolia see over 86,000 patients each year. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. When you or your loved one arrives at a Bluewater Health emergency department, you will be triaged. This helps us decide how quickly you will need care, depending on your condition.

In Sarnia, when you are triaged, you will also be assigned a ‘section’ or area in the department. This again, depends on the type of care you require. This assignment helps ED staff know how serious your condition is, and what they can expect as part of your treatment.

The three sections in the Sarnia Emergency Department are:

Did you know we have many different waiting areas within our Emergency Department, depending on your care needs?  

Green

The Green Zone is for patients who are here with illnesses that require investigation and testing. For example, chest pain (non-cardiac), suspected fracture, cut needing stitches, or minor burns. 

Yellow

Yellow zone patients often need testing and investigations and may require some type of treatment for their illness. For example, patients presenting with fever, cough, sore-throat, chest congestion and stomach discomforts. 

Red

The Red Zone is for our sickest patients. Patients seen in this area include those with cardiac events including stroke or heart attack. 

In the Petrolia Emergency Department, you may be directed to take a seat in the waiting room or taken directly into the ED, depending on the severity of your illness or injury.

Our goal is for every patient to be seen as quickly as possible. However, sometimes wait times occur due to high patient volumes or a number of very sick patients needing intense or life-saving treatment. If you or your loved one are feeling worse than when you came in, please let the nursing staff know. 

Call your primary care provider first! Your family doctor or nurse practitioner are the best care providers for non-emergencies including the common cold, an ingrown toe nail or a UTI. They know your history and medications, and are your best place for consistent healthcare. If you cannot reach your primary care provider, click here for a list of alternative health care providers/resources in our community.

Narcotics – We do not renew prescriptions for narcotics or controlled substances. All narcotics should be prescribed by your primary care provider, as they know you best. If you do not have a family doctor, please ask the registration clerk for information about how to find one or click here for a list of doctors currently accepting new patients.

Infographic - When should I go to the ED?

Have you been a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault?

Bluewater Health’s Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre offers safe, timely and supportive response to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Our specially trained team of doctors and nurses are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients who have experienced a recent sexual or domestic assault, 24/7. This service is available to all individuals.

To access services from the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at Bluewater Health:

• Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Call the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at 519-464-4522.

• After 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and on weekends: Call switchboard at 519-464-4400 (Ext. 0) and ask to speak to the sexual assault nurse on-call.

• For a list of local resources and websites for victims of sexual or domestic abuse, visit https://www.bluewaterhealth.ca/programs-services/sexual-assault-domestic-violence-treatment-centre/resources-for-victims-of-sexual.

Do you or does someone you know need help with an addiction or mental health illness?

Bluewater Health's Mental Health & Addiction Services offers a bedded unit, and a number of outpatient programs and services located both in hospital and community. Addiction Services provides treatment for alcohol, substances and gambling, as well as excessive behaviours such as spending, gaming and internet use both individually and in groups for clients and their families. Community Withdrawal Management offers outpatient and walk-in appointments, as well as assessments and referrals to residential treatment facilities and other community programs. Residential Withdrawal Management is a seven bed non-medical coed-facility for men and women 16 years of age and older. It is a safe space to withdraw from substances.