Patients line up on hospital beds outside the crowded emergency room at Montreal's Sacre Coeur Hospital Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002. After several years of progress, it appears some provinces are slipping in their quest to reduce the time it takes to receive a number of benchmark medical treatments.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Paul Chiasson
June 19, 2012 - 11:07 AM
OTTAWA - After several years of progress, it appears some provinces are slipping in their quest to reduce the time it takes to receive a number of benchmark medical treatments.
A new report from the Wait Times Alliance says part of the problem is that many hospitals are overcrowded by elderly patients with dementia — a problem that can only get worse as the population ages.
The report, released today, shows a decline in performance for patients receiving care in the five government-identified priority areas — diagnostic imaging, hip and knee replacement, radiation for cancer, cataract surgery and heart bypass surgery.
Prince Edward Island received an F for knee replacements and a D for hip replacements.
Manitoba earned a D for hip and knee replacements and cataract surgery.
Ontario scored the best with As across the board and no significant changes in wait times.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012