Long wait times frustrate patients at Albany Medical Center’s emergency room

Albany Medical Center is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, and they’re experiencing high volumes of patients in their emergency rooms, they said.

Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show the average wait time at Albany Medical Center is more than five hours, making Albany Medical Center one of the longest waiting rooms in the state.

NewsChannel 13 has found horror stories online – everything from a man in pain not being able to get aspirin for 12 hours, to others saying their wait time was 24 hours or more.

NewsChannel 13 reached out to Albany Medical Center. They sent us this statement:

“Like other hospitals nationwide, we continue to experience high volumes in our Emergency Department and have been working very hard to make sure each patient gets the care they need. As the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, we routinely care for severely injured patients and the sickest of the sick, many of whom are transferred to us from other hospitals throughout our community and region. We continue to provide safe care, and have been taking proactive measures to improve throughput in our ED and to recruit and retain staff. For patients who have less severe needs, our ten EmUrgentCare locations are open to serve them, as well.”

A recent study found both Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital among the longest emergency room wait times in the state.