Provincial Wait Times Data
2012-13 Quarter 4: January 1 to March 31
During the fourth quarter of 2012-2013 (January 1 to March 31), wait time reports demonstrate that, on average, 90 per cent of residents of Newfoundland and Labrador received timely access to benchmark procedures within the recommended targets, which is consistent with previous third quarter results. Almost 100 per cent of patients received access to radiation treatment within 28 days; 100 per cent of cardiac bypass patients had surgery within 90 days, which is much sooner than the benchmark of 182 days; 90 per cent of first eye cataract procedures were performed within 112 days; 85 per cent of residents accessed hip replacement surgery and 82 per cent knee replacement within 182 days; and 91 per cent of hip fracture surgeries were performed in less than 48 hours.
Curative Radiotherapy
The national benchmark for radiation treatment is 28 days. During this quarter, 95 per cent of 216 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 1 day, and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients (90th percentile) began treatment was 22 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: 100 per cent of Level 1 cases were completed within 2 days; 100 per cent of Level 2 cases were completed in 21 days; and 100 per cent of Level 3 cases were completed within 90 days, which is much sooner than the 182 day benchmark. Median wait times were 1 day for Level 1, 5 days for Level 2 and 14 days for Level 3; the 90th percentile was 2, 13, and 42 days respectively. At the end of March 2013, 14 patients were waiting for cardiac bypass surgery in the province.
Cataracts
The national benchmark for cataract surgery is 112 days. Nearly 1400 cataract cases were completed in this quarter, including 792 procedures on the first eye. In the Eastern region, 86 per cent of 407 first eye cases were performed in 112 days; the median was 43 days; and the 90th percentile was 131 days. In the Central region, 90 per cent of 178 first eye cases were completed in 112 days; the median was 67 days; and the 90th percentile was 112 days. In the Western region, 95 per cent of the 207 first eye cases were completed in 112 days; the median was 14 days; and the 90th percentile was 83 days. In the Labrador-Grenfell region, the itinerant specialist did not visit to perform cataract surgery this quarter.
Hip Replacement
The national benchmark for hip replacement surgery is 182 days. During this quarter, 117 hip replacement surgeries were completed in the province. In the Eastern region, 80 per cent of 73 cases were completed within 182 days; the median was 89 days; and the 90th percentile was 263 days. In the Central region, 88 per cent of 22 cases were completed within the benchmark; the median was 87 days; and the 90th percentile was 226 days. In the Western region, 93 per cent of 18 hip replacements were completed within 182 days; the median was 69 days; the 90th percentile was 127 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 233 knee joint replacement cases completed in this quarter. In the Eastern region, 73 per cent of 120 cases completed within the 182 day benchmark; the median was 142 days; and the 90th percentile was 274 days. In the Central region, 87 per cent of 61 cases were completed within the benchmark; the median was 66 days; and the 90th percentile was 209 days. In the Western region, 94 per cent of 47 cases were completed within 182 days; the median was 108 days; and the 90th percentile was 177 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 121 hip fracture surgeries completed in this quarter. In the Eastern region, 88 per cent of 81 cases were completed in less than 48 hours; the median wait was 29 hours and 58 minutes and the 90th percentile was 48 hours and 54 minutes. In the Central region, 100 per cent of 16 cases were completed in less than 24 hours, which is half of the benchmark of 48 hours. In the Western region, 100 per cent of 21 hip fracture surgeries were completed in 46 hours and 46 minutes; which is also sooner that the 48 hour benchmark. In the Labrador-Grenfell region, due to the low number of surgeries being completed, data for this quarter was suppressed.
Provincial Wait Times Data
2012-13 Quarter 4: January 1 to March 31
| Service Area | Pan-Canadian benchmarks | Newfoundland and Labrador – Fourth Quarter(January 1 – March 31, 2013) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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| Cervical Screening | Women, starting at age 18, every three years to age 69 after two normal pap tests. |
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Data Source: Regional Health Authorities, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Notes: In Labrador-Grenfell region, no cataract cases (NS) and a low number (DS) of hip replacements, knee replacements and hip fracture surgeries were performed this quarter.
Date: August 30, 2013
Provincial Wait Time Benchmark Update – Quarter 4: January 1 to March 31 (216 KB)