Provincial wait time information from April 1 to September 30 (Q1/Q2) of 2020-2021 shows that on average 65 per cent of patients accessed care within the recommended time frames, which is below the national target of 90 per cent. Wait time data shows that the majority of radiation treatment, urgent cardiac bypass, and hip fracture patients accessed care within the benchmarks; while the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on cataract surgery, hip and knee replacement wait times.
Provincial data results for these first two quarters combined show that:
- Almost all or 99 per cent of newly diagnosed cancer patients commenced radiation treatment within the 28 day benchmark;
- Almost all of 95 per cent of cardiac bypass surgeries were performed within the 182 day benchmark;
- One-third or (33 per cent) cataract cases on the first eye were performed within 112 days;
- Nearly half or (45 per cent) hip replacements were completed within the recommended benchmark of 182 days;
- Two out of 10 or (21 per cent) knee replacements were completed within the recommended benchmark of 182 days; and,
- Almost all (or 95 per cent) of patients underwent emergent hip fracture surgery within the benchmark of 48 hours.
Provincial Wait Times Data
2020-21 Quarters 1 and 2: April 1 to September 30, 2020
| Newfoundland and Labrador Wait Times (April – September, 2020-2021) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 16 days | 22 days | 99% |
| Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG) | Level 1, 2, 3 combined (182 days) | 9 days | 42 days | 95% |
| Cataracts (First eye) | Within 16 weeks (112 days) for patients who are at high risk. | 264 days | 474 days | 33% |
| Hip Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) | 204 days | 380 days | 45% |
| Knee Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) | 286 days | 461 days | 21% |
| Hip Fracture Repair | Fixation within 48 hours | 25 hours | 44 hours | 95% |
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 Health are working to address this.
Date: May 20, 2021