Nova Scotia prepares for wait-time health study
30.07.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
The hunt is on for a consultant to oversee an $8-million, two-year pilot project to try to reduce waiting times for surgery and diagnostic imaging in Nova Scotia. It can take nearly 18 months for hip replacement surgery, according to the provincial Health Department, and the wait for an MRI in the Halifax region is more than seven months. Nancy MacLeod, chief executive for wait-time improvements, said the pilot project will involve the use of new computer software for family doctors to help them decide what tests are needed in the first place. "So they're having the appropriate test completed, rather than being in a wait-time lineup that maybe isn't the best test for them," she said. The other aspect of the study involves patients themselves. "We'll also be working with patients to determine their willingness, their ability to travel to districts other than the district where they live for having care if a wait time is shorter," MacLeod said. A tender has gone out for a consultant to lead the study. The project is expected to begin in October and conclude in the spring of 2010. After that, it will be up to the government to decide whether either method of reducing wait times works or if more study is needed. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedExternal LinksNova Scotia Health Department: Wait-times data(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesProtein detangler drug shows promise in slowing Alzheimer's: studyScottish researchers have discovered that a drug that's in its early stages of testing is effective at dissolving the protein tangles that form in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.Canada needs organ-donation system before considering presumed consent: expertCanada's organ donation system "desperately needs" a revamp to tackle the growing number of people dying on wait lists, an international expert said Tuesday. Gains in AIDS fight need to be maintained: UN reportThe United Nations says fewer people are dying of AIDS, more patients are on HIV medication and the global AIDS epidemic is stable after peaking in the late 1990s.55 minutes of daily activity the ticket to weight loss: studyA new study has found that for overweight and obese women seeking to lose weight, fifty-five minutes of exercise a day, five days a week is needed to lose 10 per cent of overall body weight over two years. Fluoride levels should be lowered, panel tells Health CanadaA panel of experts convened by Health Canada is recommending new optimal concentrations of fluoride in drinking water and suggesting the levels of fluoride ingested via a variety of sources by children and infants be lowered. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHAIDSThe global epidemicIN DEPTHNanotechnologyReally, really small stuff that's really big. But is it safe?ANOTHER VIEWDrugs and drivingNew law a 'positive step', analyst saysIN DEPTHTrans fatsMoving away from bad fatsHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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