Overview

• A CMAJ study found that a fully integrated centralized referral and surgery queue model reduced wait times for hip and knee replacements by up to 50% in Ontario.
• Canada's current system sees only 66% of hip and 59% of knee replacement surgeries completed within the 26-week benchmark, with delays worsening post-pandemic.
• The centralized model pools patients for both consultations and surgeries, assigning them to the next available surgeon, significantly cutting delays compared to individual surgeon waitlists.
• Health PEI has begun implementing centralized waitlist management, but broader adoption faces challenges, including surgeon skepticism and the need for system infrastructure.
• The model also promises to improve equity by reducing geographic and socioeconomic disparities in surgical wait times, offering a cost-effective alternative to private clinics.