During the Stanley Cup playoffs, some people in Quebec prioritize watching the Montreal Canadiens on the ice over seeking medical attention. Hospital officials in Montreal noted a decrease in emergency room visits on game nights during the first round of the playoffs when the Habs faced the Tampa Bay Lightning. Zackary Levine, the chief of emergency medicine at McGill University Health Centre, suggested that individuals might be postponing non-urgent medical care until after the hockey games conclude.
The Montreal Canadiens seem to offer relief to overcrowded emergency rooms that often operate above capacity at McGill University Health Centre. Levine mentioned that many individuals prioritize watching the games over other commitments, such as work.
This trend of decreased emergency room visits during major sporting events is not unique to the Canadiens. A study conducted in Canada in 2011 revealed a 17% reduction in ER visits during the men’s hockey final at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver when Canada secured victory over the United States. Additionally, emergency rooms across Quebec have observed a slight decline in visits during recent Canadiens games, according to Santé Québec.
Although the Montreal General Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital usually experience fewer patients in the emergency room during playoff games, the occupancy rates tend to return to normal levels or slightly increase post-game. Urgences-santé, the public ambulance service in Montreal and Laval, mentioned a similar trend of decreased ambulance calls during Canadiens games, followed by an increase after the games end, especially during the playoffs.
While some hospitals, like the Montreal Children’s Hospital and CHU Sainte-Justine, did not notice a consistent connection between Canadiens games and emergency room activity, the Montreal Heart Institute reported a 20% increase in cardiac-related cases during playoff games. Dr. Audrey-Jane Hall from the Montreal Heart Institute emphasized the health risks associated with the emotional highs and lows of playoff hockey.
To manage non-urgent medical concerns, Levine recommended considering clinics or contacting Quebec’s 811 health line before visiting emergency departments. He also advised against driving under the influence during celebratory events.