A new report has detailed the average surgical wait times for different operations in Alberta. (Photo: Ammentorp | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Wait times for most surgery types still over benchmarks in Alberta

Apr 4, 2024 | 10:11 AM

Despite some positive momentum over the last year, Albertans are still having to wait longer than the clinically-recommended benchmark times for some surgeries.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has released new data on surgical wait times across the country.

CIHI Director of Health System Analytics Cheryl Chui says, on a national basis, the wait times for priority procedures such as hip and knee replacements, as well as cancer surgeries, are still longer than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While more patients are receiving care within recommended benchmarks after a significant dip at the beginning of the pandemic, Canadians are still waiting longer than they did in 2019, before the pandemic,” says Chui.

She adds, “We’re starting to see an increase in surgical volumes, which is a good sign after more than [two] years of decreased numbers. It’s an important step in reducing backlogs and providing more timely care.”

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For all types of surgeries, the goal is to have at least 90 per cent of patients receive their operations within the benchmark times.

The report details wait times for hip replacements, knee replacements, hip fracture repairs (emergency and inpatient), hip fracture repairs (inpatient), cataract surgeries, and radiation therapies.

Among the six categories in Alberta, radiation therapy is the only one to have more than 90 per cent of surgeries being done within the clinically recommended times.

Positive momentum has been seen over the last year for hip and knee replacements.

Hip Replacements:

The benchmark time to receive a hip replacement is 26 weeks.

In 2023, 59 per cent of surgeries in Alberta were completed within the benchmark. That is up from 38 per cent in 2022 but down from 64 per cent in 2019.

Hip replacements being completed in the benchmark times in Alberta (Photo: LNN/CIHI)

Knee Replacements:

The benchmark time to receive a knee replacement is 26 weeks

In 2023, 49 per cent of surgeries in Alberta were completed within the benchmark. That is up from 27 per cent in 2022 but down from 62 per cent in 2019.

Knee replacements being completed in the benchmark times in Alberta (Photo: LNN/CIHI)

Hip Fracture Repair – Emergency and Inpatient

The benchmark time to receive an emergency hip fracture repair is 48 hours.

In 2023, 77 per cent of surgeries in Alberta were completed within the benchmark. That is down from 80 per cent in 2022 and down from 87 per cent in 2019.

Hip Fracture Repair – Emergency and Inpatient being completed in the benchmark times in Alberta (Photo: LNN/CIHI)

Hip Fracture Repair – Inpatient

The benchmark time to receive a hip fracture repair is 48 hours.

In 2023, 86 per cent of surgeries in Alberta were completed within the benchmark. That is down from 89 per cent in 2022 and down from 91 per cent in 2019.

Hip Fracture Repair – Inpatient being completed in the benchmark times in Alberta (Photo: LNN/CIHI)

Cataract Surgery

The benchmark time to receive a cataract surgery is 16 weeks.

In 2023, 61 per cent of surgeries in Alberta were completed within the benchmark. That is down from 66 per cent in 2022 but is up from 44 per cent in 2019.

Cataract Surgeries being completed in the benchmark times in Alberta (Photo: LNN/CIHI)

Radiation Therapy

The benchmark time to receive radiation therapy is four weeks.

In 2023, 97 per cent of surgeries in Alberta were completed within the benchmark. That is down from 98 per cent in both 2022 and 2019.

Radiation Therapy being completed in the benchmark times in Alberta (Photo: LNN/CIHI)

The full report on surgical wait times can be found on the CIHI website.

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