The Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (SkSI) emphasis on sooner, safer, smarter surgical care is resulting in more surgeries being provided, fewer "long waiters" and better surgical patient experiences.
"Saskatchewan has set some of the most ambitious surgical wait time goals in the country," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Our latest monthly data shows that right now, 99 per cent of all surgeries are being completed within 18 months and 96 per cent within 12 months. We're clearly heading in the right direction thanks to the combined efforts of health providers, surgical teams and managers across the province."
Since November 2007, the number of patients waiting longer than 18 months for surgery has dropped 83 per cent, the number waiting over 12 months has dropped 68 per cent and the number waiting more than six months has declined 49 per cent. These figures represent improvements of three per cent, three per cent and six per cent respectively since the previous monthly data update.
Data to October 31, 2011, shows that Saskatchewan hospitals have completed more than 48,200 surgeries in the last six months, 7.5 per cent more (almost 3,400 cases) than during the same period last year. The number of people waiting for surgery in a Saskatchewan hospital is at its lowest level - about 22,400 cases - since the current data measurement system was put in place in 2004.
By the end of 2011-12, the SkSI's goal is to provide all patients with the opportunity to have surgery within 12 months of a specialist referral. Six of the ten health regions that perform surgery are currently achieving that goal for 100 per cent of surgeries they provide. Provincially, 96 per cent of surgeries are now completed within 12 months.
The Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative was created to improve the surgical patient experience from referral through recovery. Its goal is to provide all patients with an opportunity to have surgery within three months by 2014. It is championing projects such as an online directory of surgeons to help doctors and patients choose an appropriate surgeon, surgical safety checklists in all hospital operating rooms and new approaches to care for patients with hip, knee, spine, gynaecological and prostate problems.
