Set fees for ERs in Ontario have created unforeseen problems. He posted the urban-based triage proposal to the list and contrasted it with a rural proposal that is currently evolving in Canada. The suggestion was made that rural doctors should be consulted on any triage system that is adopted. The short times for the urban proposal contrasted strongly with the more realistic times of the rural proposal. As one doctor said, the speed with which a patient receives attention does not always correlate with the level of care or outcome.
More research is needed before either proposal is adopted.
Another doctor questioned the need for a national system at all. They need me some time. They don't need me. Another doctor pointed out the merits of a triage system, which include consistent assessment of patients and spin-offs in terms of hospital use. Ontario Ministry of Health, Ontario Hospital Association, Ontario Medical Association, 1995.