During the first two quarters of 2013-2014 (April 1 to September 30), cancer surgery wait time reports in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) show that half(50th percentile) of the 501 surgical procedures were performed within 19 days or less; and nine out of 10 procedures (90th percentile) were completed within 27 to 53 days.
While there are national benchmarks for cataract, joint replacement and cardiac bypass surgery; there are no national benchmarks for cancer surgery. In collaboration with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), all provinces have agreed to report three comparable wait time metrics (50th percentile, 90th percentile, and number of surgical procedures) for breast, bladder, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer surgery.
Provincial data results for each specific type of cancer surgery during these first two quarters of 2013-2014 combined show that:
- Bladder cancer: A total of 117 surgeries were performed for bladder cancer. The time in which half (50th percentile) of these patients waited for bladder cancer surgery was 19 days; and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients (90th percentile) waited was 47 days;
- Breast cancer: A total of 153 surgeries were performed for breast cancer.The time in which half of these patients waited for breast cancer surgery was 13 days; and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients waited was 27 days;
- Colorectal cancer: A total of 136 surgeries were performed for colorectal cancer. The time in which half of these patients waited for colorectal cancer surgery was 14 days; and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients waited was 34 days;
- Lung cancer: A total of 26 surgeries were performed for lung cancer. The time in which half of these patients waited for lung cancer surgery was 15 days; and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients waited was 36 days; and,
- Prostate cancer: A total of 69 surgeries were performed for prostate cancer. The time in which half of these patients waited for prostate cancer surgery was 31 days; and the number of days in which nine out of 10 patients waited was 53 days;
Provincial Cancer Surgery Wait Times Data
2013-14 Quarters 1 and 2: April 1 to September 30, 2013
| Newfoundland and Labrador Cancer Surgery Wait Times (April – September, 2013) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Area | Pan-Canadian Benchmarks | 50th Percentile Wait Time | 90th Percentile Wait Time | Percent Within Benchmark |
| Bladder Cancer | There are no national benchmarks for cancer surgery. | 117 | 19 days | 47 days |
| Breast Cancer | There are no national benchmarks for cancer surgery. | 153 | 13 days | 27 days |
| Colorectal Cancer | There are no national benchmarks for cancer surgery. | 136 | 14 days | 34 days |
| Lung Cancer | There are no national benchmarks for cancer surgery. | 26 | 15 days | 36 days |
| Prostate Cancer | There are no national benchmarks for cancer surgery. | 69 | 31 days | 53 days |
Source: Regional Health Authorities, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Date: January 20, 2014