Emergency Wait Times Surge: Hospital Santa Maria Patients Face Over Four-Hour Delays
Sapo 24•6 months ago•
900

Emergency Wait Times Surge: Hospital Santa Maria Patients Face Over Four-Hour Delays

Health
hospital
emergencycare
healthsystem
portugal
waittimes
Share this content:

Summary:

  • Hospital Santa Maria patients face over four hours wait for urgent care.

  • 36 patients with yellow wristbands waiting 4h34 on average.

  • Very urgent cases (orange wristband) average 3h39 wait time.

  • Beatriz Ă‚ngelo Hospital improving but still above expected wait times.

  • University Hospitals of Coimbra report only 24 minutes wait for very urgent cases.

Alarming Wait Times at Hospital Santa Maria

Patients classified as urgent are experiencing over four hours of waiting time before receiving care at the Hospital Santa Maria in Lisbon. As of 6 PM, there were 36 patients with a yellow wristband, indicating an urgent situation, facing an average wait time of 4 hours and 34 minutes according to the latest data from the National Health Service.

Critical Cases Awaiting Care

In addition, five patients with an orange wristband (very urgent) have been waiting an average of 3 hours and 39 minutes for treatment. Meanwhile, eleven patients with a green wristband (less urgent) are facing even longer waits, averaging 5 hours and 21 minutes.

Comparison with Other Hospitals

A recent survey by Lusa highlighted that this was the most challenging situation among various hospitals in Lisbon by the end of the day. At the Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures, which previously faced wait times exceeding ten hours, conditions have improved, but patients still wait longer than expected. Just before 6 PM, three very urgent cases were waiting an average of 33 minutes, while 37 urgent cases had an average wait of four hours.

Regional Variations in Wait Times

In central Portugal, the situation appears to be calmer. For instance, at the University Hospitals of Coimbra, the average wait for very urgent cases was just 24 minutes, while urgent cases waited 1 hour and 35 minutes. The hospital’s protocol prioritizes cases based on urgency, from immediate attention for emergency cases (red wristband) to a maximum wait of 240 minutes for non-urgent cases (blue wristband).

Triage Protocol

The Manchester Triage System is employed to assess patients and assign them a priority for care ranging from emergency to non-urgent needs, ensuring that those in critical condition receive timely attention.

Comments

0

Join Our Community

Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!

Newsletter

Subscribe our newsletter to receive our daily digested news

Join our newsletter and get the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.

OR
PortugalToday.news logo

PortugalToday.news

Get PortugalToday.news on your phone!

Other Latest News

Lisbon's Left-Wing Parties in Talks for Coalition Ahead of Municipal Elections

Lisbon's Left-Wing Parties in Talks for Coalition Ahead of Municipal Elections

3 hours ago•
960
Portugal Tightens Citizenship Rules: Waiting Period Extended to 10 Years

Portugal Tightens Citizenship Rules: Waiting Period Extended to 10 Years

2 hours ago•
1110
Fugitive from Sintra Prison Captured at Family Home Without Resistance

Fugitive from Sintra Prison Captured at Family Home Without Resistance

5 hours ago•
880
Court Halts Lisbon's Monument Entry Fee Exemption for Locals, Citing Discrimination

Court Halts Lisbon's Monument Entry Fee Exemption for Locals, Citing Discrimination

7 hours ago•
900
Portugal Tightens Nationality Law: Key Changes Announced by Government

Portugal Tightens Nationality Law: Key Changes Announced by Government

6 hours ago•
1120
Lisbon Lights Up with European Literature Night: A Theatrical Journey Through Words

Lisbon Lights Up with European Literature Night: A Theatrical Journey Through Words

9 hours ago•
890
GoTuk App Aims to Revolutionize Lisbon's Tuk Tuk Market with Digital Innovation

GoTuk App Aims to Revolutionize Lisbon's Tuk Tuk Market with Digital Innovation

10 hours ago•
870
Industry and Retail Lead Portugal's Economic Growth Potential, Study Reveals

Industry and Retail Lead Portugal's Economic Growth Potential, Study Reveals

12 hours ago•
880
Euro 2025 Group B Preview: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Italy Battle for Glory

Euro 2025 Group B Preview: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Italy Battle for Glory

14 hours ago•
990
US Requests Permission for 12 Aircraft to Use Lajes Base Amid Israel-Iran Tensions

US Requests Permission for 12 Aircraft to Use Lajes Base Amid Israel-Iran Tensions

21 hours ago•
1010
Lowell's DĂ­a de Portugal Festivities Shine a Spotlight on Portuguese Heritage Preservation

Lowell's DĂ­a de Portugal Festivities Shine a Spotlight on Portuguese Heritage Preservation

22 hours ago•
930
Heavy Rain and Storms Ahead: Five Portuguese Districts Under Yellow Warning

Heavy Rain and Storms Ahead: Five Portuguese Districts Under Yellow Warning

1 day ago•
950
Yellow Weather Alert: Thunderstorms, Hail, and Strong Winds Hit Five Portuguese Districts

Yellow Weather Alert: Thunderstorms, Hail, and Strong Winds Hit Five Portuguese Districts

17 hours ago•
1100
Lisbon's Forno d’Oro Ranks Among Europe's Top 10 Pizzas – A Culinary Triumph

Lisbon's Forno d’Oro Ranks Among Europe's Top 10 Pizzas – A Culinary Triumph

1 day ago•
910
Left-Wing Parties Demand Clarity on Portugal's Role in US-Iran Conflict via Lajes Base

Left-Wing Parties Demand Clarity on Portugal's Role in US-Iran Conflict via Lajes Base

1 day ago•
1030
Bishop of Funchal Briefly Attends Funeral Ceremony for Padre Martins JĂşnior

Bishop of Funchal Briefly Attends Funeral Ceremony for Padre Martins JĂşnior

1 day ago•
960
Soaring Prices Drive Portuguese Tourists Away from the Algarve

Soaring Prices Drive Portuguese Tourists Away from the Algarve

1 day ago•
970
Spain Offers Summer Getaways at Half the Price of Portugal's Algarve

Spain Offers Summer Getaways at Half the Price of Portugal's Algarve

1 day ago•
920
PSP Busts East European Pickpocket Gang Targeting Tourists in Lisbon's Santos Neighborhood

PSP Busts East European Pickpocket Gang Targeting Tourists in Lisbon's Santos Neighborhood

1 day ago•
910
Prosecutors Announce Nationwide Strike in July Against Judicial Reforms

Prosecutors Announce Nationwide Strike in July Against Judicial Reforms

2 days ago•
910
Last Chance to Grab Discounted Books at Lisbon's Book Fair Before It Ends!

Last Chance to Grab Discounted Books at Lisbon's Book Fair Before It Ends!

2 days ago•
860
Sardine Fishing with Seine Nets Banned in Algarve This Weekend

Sardine Fishing with Seine Nets Banned in Algarve This Weekend

2 days ago•
930