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Knee Replacement Surgery Wait Times in Alberta (2024)

Find hospitals with the shortest knee replacement surgery wait times in Alberta. Each hospital has been ranked — so you can make informed decisions.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Knee replacement surgery in Alberta is a medical intervention where a worn-out knee joint is replaced with a prosthetic one. This surgical procedure is particularly common among those dealing with severe arthritis or significant knee injuries, which lead to persistent pain and difficulties with movement. The goal of the surgery is to alleviate discomfort, enhance the functionality of the joint, and elevate the patient's overall quality of life.

In Alberta, access to knee replacement surgery is facilitated through both public and private healthcare avenues. The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) underwrites the procedure for qualifying residents, ensuring that individuals can receive the care they need without worrying about the financial implications. Nonetheless, patients might experience wait times, a reflection of the procedure's high demand within the province.

Patients in Alberta identified as candidates for knee replacement will explore the available options for prosthetic knee joints, constructed from materials such as metal, plastic, or ceramic. The selection is influenced by various considerations, including the patient’s lifestyle, age, and the surgeon's expertise and preference.

The surgery is conducted under general or spinal anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. The typical surgical method involves an incision above the knee to excise the damaged bone and cartilage and replace them with the prosthetic joint. The operation generally lasts several hours, followed by a recovery phase in the hospital. The length of the hospital stay varies based on the individual’s health condition and the specific details of the operation.

Post-surgery care is crucial for a positive outcome. In Alberta, patients benefit from extensive rehabilitation services that initiate with early movement to avoid blood clots and boost blood flow. Physical therapy is a cornerstone of the recovery journey, aiding patients in regaining strength, flexibility, and mobility. The rehabilitation regimen is customized to meet the unique requirements of each patient, often beginning in the hospital and extending to outpatient therapy or at-home exercises.

Alberta hospitals with shortest knee replacement surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Alberta which have the shortest knee replacement surgery wait times:

  • 🥈  Peter Lougheed Centre takes the second spot for the shortest wait times, with an average wait of 45 weeks for knee replacement surgery.
  • Foothills Medical Centre secures the fourth position in the list of hospitals with short wait times for knee replacement surgery, with an average wait of 66 weeks.

Alberta hospitals with longest knee replacement surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Alberta which have the longest knee replacement surgery wait times:

  • 🐢 South Health Campus ranks second for the longest wait times, with an average wait of 109 weeks for knee replacement surgery.
  • 🦥 Chinook Regional Hospital, ranking third in wait times, reports an average wait of 96 weeks for knee replacement surgery.

How to interpret surgery wait times

Wait time is defined as the interval from the decision to pursue a medical service to the actual execution of the procedure or test. This data is sourced from the Alberta Wait Times Reporting website, overseen by the Alberta Ministry of Health, which compiles information submitted by hospitals and diagnostic clinics across Alberta, encompassing both urban and rural areas. These institutions gather data from physicians and healthcare providers responsible for the listed procedures.

For accuracy, the protocol mandates the use of data from at least three months to estimate the wait times for 90% of patients for a specific procedure at a particular facility. This standardized reporting mechanism across the province involves direct data submission by hospitals from physicians, who bear the responsibility for the precision of this information.

Percentile wait times represent the duration within which a respective percentage of patients received their procedure or test, utilizing data from the previous three months. This calculation excludes individuals who opted to delay their procedure voluntarily, had scheduled follow-ups, or were provided with emergency services.

Variations in wait times can be attributed to differences in the procedure type, the specialist involved, and the facility location. Patients are encouraged to consult with their physicians to gain insights into the reasons behind these discrepancies. Factors such as the local surgeons' workload, the presence of newer surgeons establishing their practices, specialists' limitations to certain procedures or part-time schedules, and the requirement for specialized staff and facilities can all influence wait lists.

The term "Patient Count" refers to the tally of individuals who underwent a procedure within a specific month, inclusive of those who postponed their procedure or test voluntarily and those with scheduled follow-up procedures.

Advocating for better data access

We are thankful for the Government of Alberta's efforts in providing wait time information for the most common medical procedures. Alberta stands out globally for its transparency in reporting hospital wait times and covers a wide array of medical procedures.

We encourage Alberta Health Services to expand its data reporting to include average wait times by facility, as seen in Ontario. This information would greatly benefit patients by allowing them to choose facilities with shorter wait times.

Readers can consider reaching out to Alberta Health Services to advocate for this beneficial change.

Learn wait times for other medical procedures in Alberta:

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