By the Numbers – January to December 2024
Despite increasing demand, our Emergency Department continues to provide exceptional care while enhancing quality. We are proud of the strides we’ve made in improving patient experiences. The average time it takes to see a doctor remains low when compared to typical averages in the Greater Toronto Area, and we have one of the best ambulance offload times in the province (the time it takes to transfer care of the patient from the ambulance to the hospital), which means the ambulances can return to the community faster. Other hospitals are now replicating our system. With approximately one-third of our patients coming from outside the North York community, it’s clear that people trust us to deliver high-quality urgent care in critical moments.
119,807 total visits to the ED
(3% increase from 2023)
1/3 of our patients come from outside the North York community
37,871 Green Zone visits (Minor Ambulatory Procedures Area)
(6.5% increase from 2023)
20,575 ambulance trips to the ED
(6% increase from 2023)
3,946 Blue Zone visits (resuscitation)
(7% increase from 2023)
21 minutes: Average ambulance offload time
(8% decrease from 2023)
1,370 Purple Zone visits (mental health)
(opened in 2024)
1.5 hours: Average time to see a doctor in the ED
(*18% increase from 2023)
*Although the average time to see a doctor for an initial assessment in the ED has increased from 2023 to 2024, NYGH performed better than 90% of other Ontario hospitals.
Donor Impact throughout Our Emergency Department
Our donors’ support can be seen throughout the entire Emergency Department (ED). Life can change in the blink of an eye and thanks to your generosity, patients who rely on us in the most urgent circumstances receive exceptional care. Here are just a few examples of how donors like you have made an impact:
Click through the areas below to learn more
Baby Weight Scale
In emergencies, every second counts—especially for babies and young children, who can appear stable until they suddenly crash. Detecting even small weight changes is critical and can signal serious health concerns like dehydration, infection, or failure to thrive. Thanks to donor support, our ED now has a precise baby weight scale in the triage area. This specialized equipment allows the nurse to place the infant in the scale lying down (like a bassinet) and get a precise weight, down to an ounce. This critical information helps guide immediate care decisions, including the proper dosage of medication – ensuring our youngest patients receive the right treatment as quickly and safely as possible.
A Dedicated Mental Health Emergency Services Unit
Thanks to donor generosity, we were able to create a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Services Unit (or the Purple Zone) in the ED in 2024. Previously, patients with mental health challenges who came to the ED were immersed in a busy and noisy environment. Since the opening of our Purple Zone, our patients have been triaged in a dedicated area that is quiet, safe and promotes dignity.. Following triage, they have received care in treatment rooms that promote calm and are fully secure, improving the patients’ ED experience. The environment has also allowed for a new model of care, where patients receive both emergency and mental health care at the same time. The patient’s journey also incorporates supportive discharge to appropriate community mental health and addictions services – providing greater stability throughout their recovery.
Rapid Infuser
The Blue Zone is designated for patients who are in critical condition and are at risk of or require resuscitation. The equipment used in this zone, including the Rapid Infuser, is vital to saving lives. This specialized equipment delivers lifesaving blood products and resuscitation fluids in minutes – compared to the hour it would usually take. This device keeps fluid at core temperature, eliminating the severe risk of hypothermia for trauma victims who require a lot of blood, quickly. Emergencies happen without warning and thanks to the support of our donors, our ED has the best equipment and is prepared to provide the best possible care when every second counts.
Freestanding Panda Warmer
When our tiniest patients require resuscitation, they are rushed to the state-of-the-art Panda Warmer in the Blue Zone. Designed for emergency neonatal care, this specialized equipment allows the medical team to work efficiently – a respiratory therapist works at the head of the Panda Warmer while a physician and nurse work along the side. At the same time, this warmer allows the team to position the baby optimally, regulate temperature and deliver a special oxygen blend tailored to the infant. A paediatric resuscitation is an overwhelming experience, and no parent wants to be separated from their baby in this critical moment. The Panda Warmer’s design allows them to remain at their baby’s side while the care team has the proper space to provide life-saving care.
Transformation of Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area
In the summer of 2023, we opened the renovated Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area (the Green Zone) to treat patients for a variety of lower acuity issues such as lacerations (skin wounds), fractures, head injuries, and abscesses. In addition to exam rooms, a state-of-the-art procedural room within the Green Zone allows for continuity of care for those requiring sedation to manage their injuries. One-third of our ED patients are seen in this zone each day, and the space, which features a natural green motif and warm wood accents, has created a calm and beautiful environment for them. Better space configuration and more treatment rooms facilitate faster patient flow through the ED, and the renovated area provides a more comfortable patient experience.
Baby Weight Scale
In emergencies, every second counts—especially for babies and young children, who can appear stable until they suddenly crash. Detecting even small weight changes is critical and can signal serious health concerns like dehydration, infection, or failure to thrive. Thanks to donor support, our ED now has a precise baby weight scale in the triage area. This specialized equipment allows the nurse to place the infant in the scale lying down (like a bassinet) and get a precise weight, down to an ounce. This critical information helps guide immediate care decisions, including the proper dosage of medication – ensuring our youngest patients receive the right treatment as quickly and safely as possible.
A Dedicated Mental Health Emergency Services Unit
Thanks to donor generosity, we were able to create a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Services Unit (or the Purple Zone) in the ED in 2024. Previously, patients with mental health challenges who came to the ED were immersed in a busy and noisy environment. Since the opening of our Purple Zone, our patients have been triaged in a dedicated area that is quiet, safe and promotes dignity. Following triage, they have received care in treatment rooms that promote calm and are fully secure, improving the patients’ ED experience. The environment has also allowed for a new model of care, where patients receive both emergency and mental health care at the same time. The patient’s journey also incorporates supportive discharge to appropriate community mental health and addictions services – providing greater stability throughout their recovery.
Rapid Infuser
The Blue Zone is designated for patients who are in critical condition and are at risk of or require resuscitation. The equipment used in this zone, including the Rapid Infuser, is vital to saving lives. This specialized equipment delivers lifesaving blood products and resuscitation fluids in minutes – compared to the hour it would usually take. This device keeps fluid at core temperature, eliminating the severe risk of hypothermia for trauma victims who require a lot of blood, quickly. Emergencies happen without warning and thanks to the support of our donors, our ED has the best equipment and is prepared to provide the best possible care when every second counts.
Freestanding Panda Warmer
When our tiniest patients require resuscitation, they are rushed to the state-of-the-art Panda Warmer in the Blue Zone. Designed for emergency neonatal care, this specialized equipment allows the medical team to work efficiently – a respiratory therapist works at the head of the Panda Warmer while a physician and nurse work along the side. At the same time, this warmer allows the team to position the baby optimally, regulate temperature and deliver a special oxygen blend tailored to the infant. A paediatric resuscitation is an overwhelming experience, and no parent wants to be separated from their baby in this critical moment. The Panda Warmer’s design allows them to remain at their baby’s side while the care team has the proper space to provide life-saving care.
Transformation of Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area
In the summer of 2023, we opened the renovated Ambulatory and Minor Procedures Area (the Green Zone) to treat patients for a variety of lower acuity issues such as lacerations (skin wounds), fractures, head injuries, and abscesses. In addition to exam rooms, a state-of-the-art procedural room within the Green Zone allows for continuity of care for those requiring sedation to manage their injuries. One-third of our ED patients are seen in this zone each day, and the space, which features a natural green motif and warm wood accents, has created a calm and beautiful environment for them. Better space configuration and more treatment rooms facilitate faster patient flow through the ED, and the renovated area provides a more comfortable patient experience.
What to Expect at the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency
In an effort to make the ED feel as accessible as possible and reduce anxiety, with the help of our donors, the ED team created this video to show patients what they can expect when they visit the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency.
In The News
This past year, we have received accolades and positive media coverage about our extraordinary Emergency Department in publications including:
Toronto Star
North York General has one of Toronto’s busiest ERs, yet its wait times are among the lowest in the province. How does it do it?… Read more >
CBC
North York hospital hopes new ER mental health zone will be ‘a place of solace’… Read more >
GTA Weekly
North York General Hospital Opening New Mental Health Emergency Services Unit… Read more >
Your Invaluable Contribution
Thank you again for your incredible support. The amazing generosity of our community of donors has made a tremendous impact on the care we are able to deliver in our ED – and we can’t thank you enough.