Quebec Health Ministry Launches Digital Pediatric Emergency Triage System to Cut ER Waits

MONTREAL, QC — Santé Québec and the Ministry of Health and Social Services officially launched the 'Guichet Pédiatrique Express' digital triage portal on Saturday, connecting parents directly to registered pediatric triage nurses prior to visiting crowded hospital emergency rooms.

Digital Triage Architecture and Clinic Booking

The digital platform allows parents of children with mild to moderate medical symptoms—such as persistent fevers, minor ear infections, or mild rashes—to complete a clinical questionnaire through the Clic Santé portal. Within 15 minutes, a specialized pediatric nurse contacts the family via secure video or phone to assess symptoms.

If the condition does not require acute hospital emergency stabilization, the system automatically books a guaranteed same-day appointment at a dedicated pediatric nurse-practitioner clinic (GMF-P) or local community service centre (CLSC) in Montreal, Laval, or Quebec City, bypassing hospital waiting rooms.

Clinical Outcomes and Wait-Time Reductions

During pilot testing at CHU Sainte-Justine and the Montreal Children's Hospital, the digital triage platform successfully redirected 34% of low-acuity cases away from hospital emergency departments, reducing average wait times for high-acuity pediatric emergencies by 45 minutes.

Pediatricians and nursing associations commended the initiative, emphasizing that structured community clinic appointments provide a less stressful environment for young children and their parents.

Provincial Expansion Schedule

The digital pediatric triage service will expand to regional hospital catchment areas across Montérégie, Estrie, and the Outaouais by November 2026.