Adrien Preynat is the emergency health manager at Edouard Herriot hospital, Lyon. She will use the French triage system established by the French Society of Emergency Medicine.

This scale has several levels.

- Level 1: The vital prognosis has been engaged, and the patient must immediately be treated.

Level 2 is for patients who require prompt care but are not at risk of death or permanent impairment. The maximum time for support should not exceed five minutes

Level 3 - The patient's condition is urgently treated. However, time is not a risk factor. Waiting should not take more than one hour.

Level 4: Patients can be left to wait for several hours without being in danger.

Level 5 is a level of relative urgency. The nurse will redirect you to a better structure in this instance.

Additional examinations

The doctor will examine the patient when it is his turn. If necessary, he may request additional examinations. These exams take time, so the waiting continues. A blood test can take as long as 2 hours to complete.

Another factor to consider is "specialized opinions." A diagnosis is made by emergency physicians. Sometimes, a specialist may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. They are however not always available. This makes it necessary to wait until they validate the diagnosis.

Aperitifs with friends: Alcohol, not for children!

Source: Destination health