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General SummaryMarch 21, 2026

Royal Victoria Hospital ER Capacity Declines Slightly Year-Over-Year as Long Waits Increase

Montreal emergency department reports sustained high demand during January–February 2026 reporting period

Time Window

This analysis covers:

  • Current period: January 11, 2026 → February 7, 2026
  • Comparison period: January 11, 2025 → February 7, 2025

Key Metrics

  • Average ER capacity: 190.4%
  • Same period previous year: 196.0%
  • Average patients waiting >24 hours: 30.8
  • Average patients waiting >48 hours: 16.7
  • Highest reported capacity: 261%
  • Lowest reported capacity: 121%

Royal Victoria Hospital Reports Lower Average Capacity Compared With 2025

Emergency department capacity at Royal Victoria Hospital (MUHC) in Montreal remained elevated during the four-week reporting period, though overall crowding levels were lower than during the same period in 2025.

The average emergency department capacity declined from 196.0% to 190.4%, indicating a modest reduction in overall crowding.

At the same time, indicators related to prolonged stays showed mixed movement:

  • Patients waiting more than 24 hours remained stable (30.7 → 30.8)
  • Patients waiting more than 48 hours increased (14.7 → 16.7)

These results indicate that while average capacity pressures eased slightly, patients waiting more than 48 hours increased during the period.

Wider Swings in Capacity Levels

Capacity levels at Royal Victoria Hospital remained above 100% throughout the reporting window.

Compared with the previous year:

  • The maximum capacity reached 261%, up from 233%
  • The minimum capacity declined to 121%, compared with 148%

This broader range reflects greater variability in day-to-day operating conditions, with both higher peaks and lower troughs observed.

Long-Stay Patients Continue to Shape ER Activity

While the number of patients waiting more than 24 hours remained stable, the increase in patients waiting more than 48 hours reflects continued pressure in longer-duration stays.

This pattern indicates that prolonged stays remain a consistent component of emergency department activity, even when average capacity levels show modest improvement.

Observations

  • Royal Victoria Hospital reported lower overall crowding compared with the same period in 2025
  • Emergency department capacity remained consistently above 100%, indicating sustained demand
  • Patients waiting more than 48 hours increased, highlighting ongoing pressure in extended stays
  • Greater variation between minimum and maximum capacity suggests more fluctuating daily conditions

Data Coverage

  • Installation analyzed: Royal Victoria Hospital (MUHC)
  • Total records analyzed (2026 period): 609
  • Total records analyzed (2025 comparison): 188
  • Dataset completeness: Complete for both periods based on reported data

Methodology

This report summarizes emergency department operational data for Royal Victoria Hospital across two matched four-week periods aligned with system reporting intervals.

  • Averages are calculated as record-weighted means across all reporting intervals
  • Maximum and minimum values represent the highest and lowest recorded values during each period
  • Year-over-year comparisons are based on identical calendar-aligned periods

Capacity percentages and prolonged-stay counts reflect reported operational load only and should not be interpreted as measures of clinical safety.

Informational Use Statement

This summary is based on publicly reported emergency department data and is provided for informational purposes only.

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