Quality performance indicators for the Niagara Health System show that wait times are improving in surgical and diagnostic care.
The latest data for January 2011 shows that wait times for cancer surgery, hip replacement surgery, and CT and MRI scans are all better than the LHIN target. The data shows there is still work to do in knee replacement surgery and cataract surgery, which are above the LHIN target.
“These statistics are reported publicly each month as part of the provincial Wait Time Strategy,” says Interim President and CEO Dr. Sue Matthews. “The data is very helpful in measuring our performance in these targeted areas as we continue to work to shorten wait times and improve the overall quality of care we provide to the residents of Niagara. We are extremely pleased that we have shortened wait times for our patients and will continue to make improvements in the areas where we need to do better.”
The hospital typically sees an increased number of patients with cardiac conditions, pneumonia and seasonal illness over the winter months, and wait times can fluctuate based on demand.
“In order to care for the higher number of patients coming to the hospital in January and again this month, we have had to make some difficult choices about elective surgeries,” says Interim Vice President Carol Potvin. “We do expect wait times to increase for February due to higher than normal patient volumes.”
Members of the public are welcome to view the wait times data, as well as other quality indicators that measure the overall patient care experience at the NHS. This public information is posted in the Quality & Performance section of the NHS website at niagarahealth.on.ca. Wait times are also posted on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s website at health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/waittimes/ and the Ontario Hospital Association’s myhospitalcare.ca website.
