Athabasca Healthcare Centre

Athabasca, AB · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Athabasca

Last updated: recently · View all Alberta hospitals →

About Athabasca Healthcare Centre

Athabasca Healthcare Centre is a 27-bed acute care and continuing care facility located at 3100 48 Avenue in Athabasca, Alberta, approximately 145 km north of Edmonton. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists who triage patients using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). As a rural facility operated by Alberta Health Services, it serves residents of Athabasca and the surrounding region, and can stabilize patients requiring a higher level of care before arranging transport to a larger centre.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department General Medicine (Inpatient) Laboratory Services General Radiography (X-Ray) Pharmacy Services Respiratory Therapy Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy) Occupational Therapy Speech and Language Services Social Work Pediatrics Palliative Care Continuing Care Services Addiction Services (Adult and Youth Counselling) Indigenous Wellness Core Program Interpreter and Translation Services Patient Stabilization and Inter-Facility Transfer Therapeutic Recreation Services

Amenities

Parking & Transit

Athabasca Healthcare Centre has a main parking lot with an access loop around the main entrance, concrete curbing, sidewalks, crosswalk markings, emergency phone access, and permanent signage. Wheelchair-accessible parking and entry are available. No parking fees have been confirmed; contact the facility at 780-675-6000 for current details.

Athabasca is a rural community located at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 55, approximately 145 km north of Edmonton. No public transit routes directly serving the hospital have been confirmed. Personal vehicle or taxi are the primary means of reaching the facility.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested during mid-morning to early afternoon on weekdays. If your condition is not life-threatening, visiting during these windows may result in a shorter wait.

🔴 Busier times

No historical wait time data is available for this facility. As a general guideline, evenings, weekends, and holidays often see higher ER volumes at rural hospitals. If possible, avoid these times for non-urgent concerns.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Athabasca Healthcare Centre emergency department open 24 hours?
Yes, the emergency department at Athabasca Healthcare Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
What happens if my condition is too serious to be treated at Athabasca Healthcare Centre?
The emergency team can stabilize patients and arrange transport to a higher-level care facility — typically a larger hospital in the Edmonton area — if your condition requires services or specialists not available on-site.
Does Athabasca Healthcare Centre offer interpreter services in the emergency department?
Yes, interpreter and translation services are available for non-English-speaking patients. Let the triage staff know at check-in that you require language assistance.
How are patients prioritized in the Athabasca Healthcare Centre ER?
Patients are assessed using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), which ranks urgency from 1 (most critical) to 5 (least urgent). This means patients with life-threatening conditions are seen before those with minor concerns, regardless of arrival order.
Is there a pharmacy at Athabasca Healthcare Centre that I can use?
There is an on-site pharmacy, but it primarily provides clinical services and medications to inpatients and long-term care residents. It may not function as a public retail pharmacy. Contact the facility at 780-675-6000 to confirm availability for outpatient needs.
Does Athabasca Healthcare Centre have services for Indigenous patients?
Yes, the facility includes an Indigenous Wellness Core program designed to support the cultural and health needs of Indigenous patients and their families. Speak with hospital staff for more information about accessing these services.

About ER Wait Times

Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.

Wait times are estimates based on Alberta health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

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