Provincial wait time information from April 1 to September 30 (Q1/Q2) of 2018-2019 shows that on average 85 per cent of patients accessed care within the recommended time frames, which is close to the national target of 90 per cent. Wait time data shows that the majority or all patients accessed radiation treatment, cardiac bypass, hip replacement and hip fracture surgery within benchmarks; while cataract surgery waits were impacted by gaps in provider coverage in some regions; and knee joint replacement waits were impacted by the increasing demand in some regions; both showing an impact on overall provincial results.
Provincial data results for these first two quarters combined show that:
- All (100%) of newly diagnosed cancer patients commenced radiation treatment within the 28 day benchmark;
- Almost all (99%) of cardiac bypass surgeries were performed within the 182 day benchmark;
- Nearly eight out of 10 (77%) cataract cases on the first eye were performed within 112 days;
- Nearly nine out of 10 (88%) hip replacements were completed within the recommended benchmark of 182 days;
- Seven out of 10 (75%) knee replacements were completed within the recommended benchmark of 182 days; and,
- Almost all (99%) patients underwent hip fracture surgery within the benchmark of 48 hours.
Provincial Wait Times Data
2018-19 Quarters 1 and 2: April 1 to September 30, 2018
| Newfoundland and Labrador Wait Times (April – September, 2018-2019) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Area | Pan-Canadian Benchmarks | 50th Percentile Wait Time | 90th Percentile Wait Time | Percent Within Benchmark |
| Curative Radiotherapy | Within 4 weeks (28 days) of being ready to treat. | 14 days | 22 days | 100% |
| Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG) | Level 1, 2, 3 combined (182 days) | 6 days | 103 days | 99% |
| Cataracts (First eye) | Within 16 weeks (112 days) for patients who are at high risk. | 85 days | 153 days | 77% |
| Hip Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) | 92 days | 187 days | 88% |
| Knee Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) | 132 days | 248 days | 75% |
| Hip Fracture Repair | Fixation within 48 hours | 21 hrs 13 mins | 38 hrs 13 mins | 99% |
Data Source: Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Newfoundland and Labrador.
Notes: In keeping with data standards, outliers or cases that do not comply with the standard wait time definitions are excluded from cataract wait time calculations and Eastern and Central Regional Health Authorities are working to address this.
Date: February 28, 2019