Wait Time Information – Total Hip Replacement Surgery: Q1 2013-2014

Q: What is a hip replacement?

A hip replacement (total hip replacement) is an orthopaedic surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced with man-made devices called prostheses. Replacing the hip joint consists of replacing both the ball (femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum).

Q: Where will I be referred to have this surgery?

Ask your doctor/specialist where you can have your hip replacement surgery, as this procedure is performed in the following hospitals:

Eastern Health
General Hospital – Health Sciences Centre – St. John’s
St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital – St. John’s

Central Health
James Paton Memorial Hospital – Gander

Western Health
Western Memorial Regional Hospital – Corner Brook

Labrador-Grenfell Health
Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital – St. Anthony

Q: How are wait times measured?

For this operation, the wait time is measured from when you and your orthopaedic surgeon decide to proceed with surgery to when the procedure is completed.

Q: What is the benchmark wait time for hip replacement surgery?

The national benchmark for hip replacement is 182 days. This means that orthopaedic surgeons and the health regions are working together to perform the majority of hip replacements within the 182-day target. The most recent wait times for hip replacement surgery in the RHAs are:

Table 1: Hip Replacement Surgery by Region for Q1 (April 1 to June 30, 2013-2014)

Wait Time Information Region
Eastern Health Central Health Western Health Labrador-Grenfell Health
Number of hip replacement procedures completed 91 25 24 5
5 out of 10 patients had surgery
within this number of days
78 82 112 55
9 out of 10 patients had surgery
within this number of days
216 131 137 62
Percentage of patients who had surgery
within 182 days
82% 93% 100% 100% in 131 days

Data source: Regional Health Authorities, Newfoundland and Labrador
October 09, 2013

Wait Time Information – Total Hip Replacement Surgery (69 KB)