Provincial Wait Times Data
2012-13 Quarter 2: July 1 to September 30
During the second quarter of 2012-2013 (July 1 to September 30), wait time reports demonstrate that, on average, 89 per cent of residents of Newfoundland and Labrador received timely access to benchmark procedures within the recommended targets, as compared to 84 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Almost 100 per cent of patients received access to radiation treatment; 100 per cent of cardiac bypass patients had surgery much sooner than the benchmark of 182 days; almost 90 per cent of first eye cataract procedures were performed within 112 days; 85 per cent of residents accessed hip replacement surgery and 81 per cent knee replacement within 182 days; and almost 90 per cent of hip fracture surgeries were performed in 48 hours or less.
Curative Radiotherapy
The national benchmark for radiation treatment is 28 days. During this quarter, 98 per cent of 193 newly diagnosed cancer patients began radiation treatment within the 28 day benchmark. The time in which half (or the median) of these patients waited to begin treatment was 7 days, and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients (90th percentile) began treatment was 18 days.
Cardiac Bypass Surgery
The national benchmark has three tiers: Level 1 within 14 days; Level 2 within 42 days; and Level 3 within 182 days. Wait time data during this quarter demonstrated: 89 per cent of Level 1 cases were completed within 1 day; 82 per cent of Level 2cases were completed in 21 days; and 100 per cent of Level 3 cases were completed in 97 days, which is 85 days sooner than the 182 day benchmark. Half of the 77 cases were completed within a week, as median wait times were 1 day for Level 1, 6 days for Level 2 and 7 days for Level 3; the 90th percentile was 28, 43, and 90 days respectively. At the end of September 2012, 20 patients were waiting for cardiac bypass surgery.
Cataracts
The national benchmark for cataract surgery is 112 days. Nearly 1,100 cataract cases were completed in this quarter, including nearly 720 procedures on the first eye. In the Eastern region, 79 per cent of 305 first eye cases were performed in 112 days; the median was 63 days; and the 90th percentile was 162 days. In the Central region, 96 per cent of 231 first eye cases were completed in 112 days; the median was 57 days; and the 90th percentile was 90 days. In the Western region, 99 per cent of the 164 first eye cases were completed in 112 days; the median was 9 days; and the 90th percentile was 48 days. In the Labrador-Grenfell region, due to the low number of surgeries being completed, data for this quarter was suppressed.
Hip Replacement
The national benchmark for hip replacement surgery is 182 days. During this quarter,102 hip replacement surgeries were completed in the province. In the Eastern region, 77 per cent of 59 cases were completed within 182 days; the median was 113 days; and the 90th percentile was 388 days. In the Central region, 93 per cent of 20 cases were completed within the benchmark; the median was 75 days; and the 90th percentile was 152 days. In the Western region, 100 per cent of 20 hip replacements were completed within 182 days; the median was 91 days; the 90th percentile was 145 days. In the Labrador-Grenfell region, due to the low number of surgeries being completed, data for this quarter was suppressed.
Knee Replacement
The national benchmark for knee replacement surgery is 182 days. There were 196 knee joint replacements completed in this quarter. In the Eastern region, wait times for knee replacement continue to improve, with 73 per cent of 114 cases completed within the 182 day benchmark; the median was 126 days; and the 90th percentile was 272 days. In the Central region, 89 per cent of 49 cases were completed within the benchmark; the median was 81 days; and the 90th percentile was 184 days. In the Western region, 94 per cent of 29 cases were completed within 182 days; the median was 61 days; and the 90th percentile was 172 days. In the Labrador-Grenfell region, due to the low number of surgeries being completed, data for this quarter was suppressed.
Hip Fracture Repair
The national benchmark for hip fracture surgery is 48 hours. There were 91 hip fracture surgeries completed in this quarter. In the Eastern region, 83 per cent of 65 cases were completed within 48 hours; the median wait was 34 hours and 47 minutes and the 90th percentile was 50 hours and 59 minutes. In the Central region, 100 per cent of 9 cases were completed in 32 hours and 12 minutes, which is sooner than the benchmark of 48 hours. In the Western region, 100 per cent of 17 hip fracture surgeries were completed in 47 hours and 52 minutes. No hip fracture surgeries were performed in the Labrador-Grenfell region in this quarter.
Provincial Wait Times Data
2012-13 Quarter 2: July 1 to September 30
| Service Area | Pan-Canadian benchmarks | Newfoundland and Labrador Wait Times- Second Quarter (July 1 – September 30, 2012) |
|---|---|---|
| Curative Radiotherapy | Within 4 weeks (28 days) of being ready to treat. |
|
| Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG) | Level 1 Within 2 weeks (14 days) |
|
| Level 2 Within 6 weeks (42 days) |
|
|
| Level 3 Within 26 weeks (182 days) |
|
|
| Cataract | Within 16 weeks (112 days) for patients who are at high risk. |
|
| Hip Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) |
|
| Knee Replacement | Within 26 weeks (182 days) |
|
| Hip Fracture Repair | Fixation within 48 hours |
|
| Breast Screening | Women aged 50-69 every two years |
|
| Cervical Screening | Women, starting at age 18, every three years to age 69 after two normal pap tests. |
|
Data Source: Regional Health Authorities, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Notes: In Labrador-Grenfell region, a low number (DS) of hip replacement surgeries and zero (NS) hip fracture surgeries were performed this quarter.
Date: December 15, 2012.