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Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Wait Times in Ontario (2024)

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), is a critical procedure designed to restore normal blood flow to an obstructed coronary artery. Typically recommended for patients with severe coronary artery disease, this surgery is crucial for those whose arteries have become blocked or severely narrowed. The primary objective of the surgery is to bypass these blockages using a graft—usually a vein or an artery from another part of the body—to allow blood to flow around the obstructed artery and reach the heart muscle.

Patients in Ontario being considered for coronary artery bypass surgery undergo a thorough medical evaluation, which includes cardiac imaging tests and a comprehensive assessment of heart function to determine the severity of blockages and the overall health of the heart. This pre-operative assessment also involves discussions about the potential risks and benefits of the surgery, different surgical approaches, and what patients can expect during and after the procedure.

Performed under general anesthesia, coronary artery bypass surgery in Ontario involves making an incision in the chest to access the heart. The surgeon then grafts a section of blood vessel between the aorta and a part of the coronary artery beyond the obstruction. While the duration of the surgery can vary depending on the number of bypasses needed, it generally lasts several hours.

Post-operative care is essential to ensure a successful recovery and includes monitoring in a cardiac intensive care unit initially, followed by follow-up visits to assess heart function. Patients also receive guidelines on lifestyle changes, medication management, and cardiac rehabilitation to help improve heart health and prevent future complications. Recovery and the return to normal activities can vary, but many patients experience significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.

Paying for coronary artery bypass surgery in Ontario

Coronary artery bypass surgeries in Ontario are typically provided at no direct cost to residents, as they are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This coverage includes the surgical procedure itself when performed in public hospitals.

OHIP, funded through provincial taxes, ensures that critical medical services like coronary artery bypass surgery are accessible to all eligible Ontarians without direct charges at the point of service. The plan aims to alleviate financial barriers to essential healthcare, supporting the province's commitment to universal healthcare coverage.

If there are specific post-operative therapies or medications recommended that go beyond standard aftercare, these might also carry additional charges not covered by the health plan.

Ontario hospitals with shortest coronary artery bypass surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the shortest coronary artery bypass surgery wait times for Priority 3 patients:

  • 🥈  St. Mary's General Hospital, with an average wait time of 0.6 weeks for coronary artery bypass surgery, ranks second for the shortest wait time in Ontario.
  • 🥉  Trillium Health Centre, with an average wait time of 1 week for coronary artery bypass surgery, ranks third for the shortest wait time in Ontario.
  • University Health Network, with an average wait time of 1.4 weeks for coronary artery bypass surgery, ranks fourth for the shortest wait time in Ontario.

Ontario hospitals with longest coronary artery bypass surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the longest coronary artery bypass surgery wait times for Priority 3 patients:

  • 🐌  Health Sciences North has the longest wait time at 5 weeks for coronary artery bypass surgery in Ontario.
  • 🐢  St. Michael's Hospital, with an average wait time of 2.6 weeks for coronary artery bypass surgery, ranks second for the longest wait time in Ontario.
  • London Health Sciences Centre, with an average wait time of 1.9 weeks for coronary artery bypass surgery, ranks fourth for the longest wait time in Ontario.

Interpreting wait times & data limitations

Several factors can extend the average wait times for surgery in Ontario. Clinical considerations often lead doctors to delay surgeries based on a patient's medical needs or other priorities. Additionally, patients may postpone their procedures due to personal reasons like scheduling conflicts, financial constraints, or a preference to delay treatment. The availability of hospital operating rooms also plays a critical role. These spaces are necessary for surgeries but can be scarce if occupied for other medical procedures or impacted by labor shortages. Seasonal variations further influence both room availability and staffing levels, potentially prolonging wait times during certain periods.

Conversely, average wait times can sometimes seem shorter than anticipated due to various factors. Some patients have flexible schedules, allowing them to fill slots that become available unexpectedly, thus shortening their wait. This adaptability, when averaged with others, can make overall wait times appear more favorable. Seasonality affects this dynamic as well, with certain times of the year experiencing lower demand for surgeries or increased temporary staffing, which can enhance room availability and reduce delays.

We focus on calculating wait times for Priority 4 patients because data for Priority levels 2 and 3 are typically incomplete. Surgeons, specialists, and healthcare administrators use clinical evidence to set these priority levels and target times, aiming to improve patient access and outcomes.

Furthermore, our data does not include patients who opt out of surgery after their initial consultation with a specialist.

Advocating for better data access

We are thankful for Ontario Health's efforts in providing hospital wait times for surgeries. Ontario stands out globally for its transparency in reporting hospital wait times and covers a wide array of medical procedures.

We encourage Ontario Health to expand its data reporting to include average wait times by doctor, as seen in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. This information would greatly benefit patients by allowing them to choose doctors with shorter wait times.

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

Learn wait times for other medical procedures in Ontario:

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