BUFFALO, N.Y. — One local emergency department is seeing longer wait times because so many people are sick, many with the flu.
"We are seeing some increased wait times because of the high amount of flu patients, but at ECMC, we normally see large volumes of patients," says Dr. Jennifer Pugh.
Pugh says the trends at ECMC follow the trends across the country. Mondays around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. are typically the busiest at the ER. The staff tries to get the average wait time down to 20 to 25 minutes.
"We are really well staffed right now, we're staffed for the new emergency department, so we have more staff than we ever have had here and we're just happy to try to get people seen as soon as possible," says Pugh.
Pugh adds that if you think you have the flu, a phone call to your doctor could help you decide whether a trip to urgent care or the ER is best.
"I think if you're not able to control your fever at home with appropriate doses of Tylenol or Ibuprofen, if you drink plenty of fluids, if you're doing everything you can at home, I do think it's good to consult with your doctor, though, they're going to know the resources and the availability of the urgent cares in the area and the emergency departments," says Pugh.
And, if you do go to the ER and think you have the flu, you can expect to be put in a separate waiting room.
"We're doing our best to kind of segregate the patients who potentially have a contagious disease in the emergency department waiting room out so that their mouth and nose are covered with the mask, but there is lots of hand washing and sanitizers, all those things out in the department, and just trying to do your best to avoid touching your nose, eyes, mouth," says Dr. Pugh.
Catholic Health says it's seeing more patients showing up with flu-like symptoms. A spokesperson wasn't able to give 2 On Your Side exact numbers, but she says they're higher than the past two years and 30 percent of those patients are testing positive for the flu.
Kaleida Health has yet to get back to us about our request for information.