Athabasca Healthcare Centre

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.

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

• Cafeteria (food available for purchase; supper available by request)
• Gift Shop
• Inpatient/Clinical Pharmacy
• Patient Information Desk (Front Foyer, Monday–Friday 8:45 am–10:45 pm)
• Wheelchair Accessibility
• Interpreter and Translation Services

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• Call ahead at 780-675-6000 if you are unsure whether your condition requires an ER visit — staff can help guide you.
• For life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe bleeding, call 911 immediately rather than driving yourself.
• As a rural facility, patients with highly complex needs (major trauma, advanced cardiac, or stroke) may be stabilized here and then transferred to a larger Edmonton-area hospital — knowing this in advance can help you plan.
• Interpreter and translation services are available at no cost — inform staff at triage if you or your family member requires language assistance.
• Visiting hours are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily — plan family or support visits accordingly, and note that visiting rules in the ER may differ from inpatient units.
• Bring all current medications or a detailed medication list to your visit, as the on-site pharmacy primarily serves inpatients and long-term care residents.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence)
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• List of all current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
• Health benefits or supplemental insurance information
• Payment method for any non-covered services or purchases
• Comfort items for potentially long waits (water bottle, snacks, phone charger)
• A support person or emergency contact information

Frequently Asked Questions

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. Actual wait times may vary.

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