Killam General Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. As a rural hospital, the ER is generally less congested than urban centres, but mid-morning on weekdays tends to be a reasonable time for non-urgent concerns. Always call 911 for life-threatening emergencies regardless of time.

Busier times: No historical data is available to identify specific peak periods at Killam Health Centre. Like most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see higher demand. If your condition is not urgent, weekday mornings are typically quieter at rural facilities.

About Killam General Hospital

Killam Health Centre, located at 5203 49 Ave in Killam, Alberta, is a Covenant Health facility offering a 24/7 emergency department serving the surrounding rural communities of east-central Alberta. As both an acute care and continuing care facility, it provides emergency diagnosis and treatment alongside a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services including diagnostic imaging, laboratory, and cardiac monitoring. Patients with serious emergencies are seen first by priority, and the centre is well-suited for residents of Killam and nearby rural areas seeking urgent and general emergency care.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging (emergency, inpatient, and outpatient), Laboratory Services (emergency, inpatient, and outpatient), Cardiac/Heart Monitoring, Acute Care Medicine Unit, Palliative Care Unit, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition Counselling, Recreational Therapy, Pastoral Care, Interpretive/Language Services (in-person, video, or phone), Secure Dementia Care (12 private rooms), Continuing Care (44 beds), Respite Care, Adult Day Support Program (2 days/week), Handi-Van Transportation Service.

Amenities

• Chapel (open at all times for prayer and meditation)
• Hair salon (for Campus of Caring residents)
• Three on-campus dining rooms for sitting, dining, and relaxing
• Two large outdoor courtyards for fresh air and sunshine
• Wheelchair-accessible entrances and facilities

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• Killam Health Centre is the primary emergency facility for the surrounding rural region — if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately rather than driving yourself.
• The ER uses a triage system and sees the sickest patients first regardless of arrival order — be prepared to wait if your condition is non-life-threatening.
• If you or a family member requires communication support in a language other than English, language interpretive services are available in person, by live video, or by phone — inform the care team on arrival.
• Visiting hours for inpatients are daily from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm; family members and pets are welcome to visit long-term care residents at any time.
• For non-emergency medical concerns, consider calling Health Link 811 before making the trip to the ER — this can help you determine the most appropriate level of care for your situation.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing physicians
• Any relevant medical records, previous test results, or imaging reports
• Health proxy or personal directive documents if applicable
• Method of payment for any applicable fees or prescriptions
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for extended waits
• Comfortable clothing and a light jacket, as emergency waiting areas can be cool

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.