Creating a surgical wait list management strategy for Saskatchewan

Area of Science:

• Health Services Management
• Surgical Workflow Optimization
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Growing concerns about extended waiting times for non-emergent surgical procedures.
• Need for a structured approach to manage surgical wait lists effectively.
• Saskatchewan Health identified the issue as a priority.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advise on the creation of a provincial surgical wait list management strategy.
• To address and mitigate issues related to surgical waiting times.
• To develop a framework applicable across the country.

Main Methods:

• Consultation with healthcare experts including a Health Care Consultant, Deputy Head of General Surgery, and a neurosurgeon.
• Focused on developing a provincial strategy for Saskatchewan.
• Considered the issue's prevalence nationwide.

Main Results:

• Expert recommendations were sought for a surgical wait list management strategy.
• The initiative aimed to improve efficiency in non-emergent surgical care.
• The strategy's development was informed by national healthcare challenges.

Conclusions:

• A provincial strategy is crucial for managing surgical wait lists.
• Addressing non-emergent surgical wait times requires expert consultation and planning.
• The findings have implications for national healthcare systems facing similar challenges.