What's
New
Reducing surgical wait times and putting patients first are key priorities for Saskatchewan. We are fast-tracking our efforts to address these priorities.
Specialists, health regions, provider organizations and administrators are working on a plan to ensure that within four years, no Saskatchewan patient waits longer than three months for surgery.
Approximately 28,700 patients were waiting for surgery as of September 30, 2009, about 1,200 more than six months ago. The main factors in the increase are a drop in surgeries performed in two health regions, and an increase in demand in several others.
From April to September, about 60 more surgeries were performed than in the same period a year earlier.
Surgical data shows that 86% of surgeries (including emergency cases) are done within six months, and 94% within one year.
Provincially, the longest waits for non-emergent surgery are in orthopaedics, dental surgery and ophthalmology. Wait times are shortest for cardiovascular procedures.
Health Region Successes
Orthopaedic Surgery
Regions with orthopaedic surgeons (Regina Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon, Prince Albert Parkland and Five Hills) began implementing a new provincial clinical pathway for hip and knee surgery patients this year. The pathway aims to improve access, care and post-operative outcomes, and increase volumes through improved efficiencies and better managed care.
Almost 400 more hip and knee procedures were done from April to September 2009 than in the same period a year earlier. Increases occurred in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
Provincially, the number of people waiting longer than six months for a hip or knee procedure has dropped 31% since March, while the number of people waiting longer than one year has dropped by 42%.
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