Alta. program reduced hip, knee surgery wait by 5 months

A pilot project that helped reduce wait times for hip and knee surgeries will be expanded in three Alberta cities.

In Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton, the program reduced wait times for hip and knee replacements to just under two months from about seven months.

Itwill now be expanded to become part of the health care system in those regions, say health officials.

One innovation in the program is the use of a case manager whohandlesall thepatients, so doctors can focus on surgeries.

'Makes better use of our time'

"It actually makes us more efficient, makes better use of our time," said Dr. Tim Pearce, one of the orthopaedic surgeons in the pilot program in Red Deer.

"Granted, we all had to make some changes in how we practise, but those are changes willingly made to make it a more efficient process."

Patients attend a hip and knee replacement centre, where they are cared for by a team. The clinics are also one-stop shops incorporating various pre- and post-operation appointments at one location.

Patient Kathaleen Ewen, who receives physiotherapy, occupational therapy and physical exams at the clinic, says it saves running around on painful knees to various appointments.

"Whoever has put it together has done an excellent, thorough job," she said.

Pearce said the lessons learnedin the pilot projectshould now be applied to other areas of surgery and health care.