Provincial wait time information from April 1 to September 30 (Q1/Q2) of 2021-2022 shows that on average 63 per cent of patients accessed care within the recommended periods, which is below the national target of 90 per cent. Wait time data shows that on average 96 per cent of radiation treatment, cardiac bypass, and hip fracture patients accessed care within the benchmarks. However, as result of the necessary health system service reductions associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on average only 44 per cent of patients received access to non-urgent cataract, hip and knee replacement benchmarked procedures within the recommended targets.
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;
- Close to nine out of 10 (or 86 per cent) of cardiac bypass surgeries were performed within the 182 day benchmark;
- Four out of 10 or (42 per cent) of cataract cases on the first eye were performed within 112 days;
- Close to six out of 10 or (57 per cent) hip replacements were completed within the recommended benchmark of 182 days;
- Four out of 10 or (44 per cent) knee replacements were completed within the recommended benchmark of 182 days; and,
- Almost all (or 99 per cent) of patients underwent emergent hip fracture surgery within the benchmark of 48 hours.
Provincial Wait Times Data
2021-22 Quarters 1 and 2: April 1 to September 30, 2021
| Newfoundland and Labrador Wait Times (April – September, 2021-2022) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 15 days | 21 days | 99% |
| Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG) | Level 1, 2, 3 combined (182 days) | 13 days | 245 days | 86% |
| Cataracts (First eye) | Within 16 weeks (112 days) for patients who are at high risk. | 146 days | 279 days | 42% |
| Hip Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) | 165 days | 502 days | 57% |
| Knee Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) | 210 days | 589 days | 44% |
| Hip Fracture Repair | Fixation within 48 hours | 23 hours | 39 hours | 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 Regional Health Authorities are working to address this.
Date: March 15, 2022