Quebec doctors are speaking out against a new color-coded system meant to prioritize patients, calling it a bad idea that could potentially harm patient care.
The system, which was introduced in some Montreal emergency rooms, uses different colored bracelets to categorize patients based on their condition’s urgency. While the intention is to help manage patient flow, many healthcare professionals believe it oversimplifies complex medical situations.
Dr. Marie Lambert, who works in a busy Montreal emergency department, explains: “Medicine isn’t about sorting people into simple categories. Each patient comes with unique symptoms and needs that can change rapidly. This color system might mislead both patients and sometimes even staff about the true nature of someone’s condition.”
Critics also worry the visible color coding might create tension in waiting rooms, with patients comparing their bracelets and questioning why others are seen before them, despite not understanding the full medical reasoning behind those decisions.
The Quebec Association of Emergency Physicians has requested a review of the system, suggesting that more nuanced approaches to patient management would better serve both healthcare workers and those seeking treatment.
“We need solutions that respect the complexity of emergency medicine,” says Dr. Paul Tremblay, an emergency medicine specialist. “While we absolutely need systems to help manage patient flow, they must be developed with significant input from the doctors and nurses who understand the daily realities of emergency care.”
Health authorities have responded by saying they will evaluate feedback from medical staff and possibly adjust the system in the coming months.
For patients currently visiting Montreal emergency rooms, doctors recommend focusing on clearly communicating symptoms to medical staff rather than worrying about bracelet colors, as verbal communication remains the most important tool in ensuring proper care.
