Improving Wait Times for Surgical Patients
Health
Published Friday, September 25, 2009
A new patient registry will improve surgical wait times by providing more timely and accurate information to district health authorities and doctors. The Pictou County Health Authority is the first district to go live with the new Patient Access Registry Nova Scotia.
The registry will provide a better understanding of where more surgeries can be performed and where additional resources may be needed. As well, patients will know where they are in the queue, and when they are likely to receive their surgery.
Quotes
“We are committed to reducing wait times. We're confident that this registry will help us serve patients faster and make better decisions about where we put our health-care resources.
”
Maureen MacDonald, Health Minister
“We are pleased to support an initiative such as this. This partnership will help us better understand patients' wait times at both the local and provincial levels.
”
Dr. David Archibald, head of surgery for the Pictou County Health Authority
Quick Facts
- Health districts have been collecting wait time statistics differently. The provincial registry will be a central database with standard methods of measuring and interpreting wait-time information.
- The Surgical Care Network is also working to identify and improve factors that can influence a patient's wait for surgery.
- The development of the provincial registry is being led by the Nova Scotia Surgical Care Network, a committee that includes chiefs of surgery and senior clinical leaders from all district health authorities and the IWK, and Department of Health representatives.
- All district health authorities will be using the registry by July 2010.
- The $11-million project is being cost-shared by the province, Health Canada and Canada Health Infoway.
Learn More
Media Contacts
- Ryan Van Horne
- Department of Health
- 902-424-2608
- Cell: 902-233-7856
- E-mail: ryan.vanhorne@gov.ns.ca
- Eileen MacIsaac
- Pictou County Health Authority
- 902-752-7600, ext. 1124
- Cell: 902-233-7856
- E-mail: eileen.macisaac@pcha.nshealth.ca
Links
Images
Video
Audio
- Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says the great thing about the Patient Access Registry is its a creative and intelligent solution.
- Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says health care is about the patient and government is committed to providing excellent health care and reducing wait times.
- Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says patients will get better information about when to expect surgery.
- Dr. David Archibald, head of surgery for Pictou County Health Authority says our health care system is great, but this project will make it better.