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Wait times for Mohs micrographic surgery in Ottawa, Ontario
Lauren LaBerge1, Julie Lacroix, Adam J Mamelak
1Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON.
Background:
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, in coordination with Cancer Care Ontario, records and analyzes wait times for cancer surgery in the province of Ontario. However, this strategy does not include wait times for skin cancer surgery.
Purpose:
The wait times and referral patterns of patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) were examined to better assess the adequacy of access to skin cancer treatment in Ontario.
Method:
The records of 101 Mohs surgeries (96 patients) consecutively performed at TOH between June 14, 2010, and October 19, 2010, were reviewed. The interval between the date the referral for Mohs surgery was first received and the date of surgery was calculated for each case. The specialty of the referring physician and the postal code of each patient treated were also recorded.
Results:
The average wait time between the date of referral and the date of surgery was 122.6 days or 17.5 weeks (median 124 days, 17.7 weeks). Over 75% of patients waited over 12 weeks (84 days) for cancer surgery. All Mohs surgery patients treated at TOH resided within postal districts in eastern and northern Ontario.
Conclusion:
The current wait time for Mohs surgery in the Ottawa region is beyond the standard for cancer treatment. Improving access to care and incorporating Mohs surgery into the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Wait Time Strategy might significantly improve this.
Insights
Patients seeking Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer in Ontario face long wait times, averaging 17.5 weeks. This delay exceeds recommended cancer treatment standards, highlighting a need for improved access to this specialized dermatologic surgery.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Oncology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care tracks cancer surgery wait times, but excludes skin cancer procedures.
- Current data collection does not encompass wait times for Mohs micrographic surgery, a key treatment for skin cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate wait times and referral patterns for Mohs micrographic surgery at The Ottawa Hospital.
- To assess the accessibility of skin cancer treatment within Ontario.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 101 Mohs surgeries (96 patients) performed at The Ottawa Hospital between June and October 2010.
- Calculation of the interval between referral receipt and surgery date.
- Recording of referring physician specialty and patient postal codes.
Main Results:
- The average wait time for Mohs surgery was 122.6 days (17.5 weeks), with a median of 124 days.
- Over 75% of patients experienced wait times exceeding 12 weeks (84 days).
- All treated patients resided in eastern and northern Ontario postal districts.
Conclusions:
- Wait times for Mohs surgery in the Ottawa region surpass established cancer treatment standards.
- Integrating Mohs surgery into the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Wait Time Strategy could enhance patient access to care.
