Windsor Regional Hospital reduces waiting lists for elective surgeries despite COVID-19

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Despite a nearly two-year battle with COVID-19 that has disproportionately consumed health care resources, Windsor Regional Hospital has substantially reduced the number of people on the waiting list for elective surgeries and services.

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Before the province ordered a halt to elective surgeries and procedures last week to protect hospital capacity against a rising tide of Omicron, the hospital had cut the waiting list from 6,370 patients in November 2019 to 3,452 this month.

“One of the positives of COVID, it really required us to focus on our clinical treatments in terms of what can we do safely that is cutting edge that may result in patients still getting access but possibly not having to stay in the hospital,” he said. Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj.

Windsor Regional averages 80 elective surgeries, 20-25 non-urgent CT scans, and 10-15 MRIs (MRIs) per day.

Musyj said the shorter list is the result of innovation, moving some procedures out of the hospital, and consolidating programs that have improved efficiency.

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For example, the urology program has been consolidated at one site, allowing for more and faster treatments.

Another big gain has been in elective surgeries.

The ophthalmology program was removed from the crowded basement of the hospital’s Ouellette campus and placed in Dr. Fouad Tayfour’s outpatient clinic. Musyj said the tight spaces at Ouellette would not allow for proper patient spacing and would have resulted in a significant decrease in the number of surgeries performed.

“The province approved the move into the Dr. Tayfour building and it has now been designated as part of the hospital,” Musyj said.

“The hearing program hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, we have seen 1,000 more patients in the last year than we normally would have seen at the Ouellette campus.”

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For services like CT scans, MRIs, and surgeries like joint replacements that require hospital access, Musyj said a grading system has been developed to prioritize elective procedures.

He added that procedures, including surgeries on the hips, knees and shoulders, were studied to see which patients could be performed safely on the same day of entry and exit.

“Before, those surgeries required being in a hospital bed for three or four days,” Musyj said.

“Now, with certain criteria, they can be done in the hospital and the patient can go home the same day. Those patients who could safely meet the criteria, we have been able to go ahead with their surgery.”

Musyj added that the ability to continue offering elective treatments has had a ripple effect on the community and the local health care system.

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People can get off pain medication sooner, their vision improves, and problems don’t get worse.

“One thing leads to another with your health,” Musyj said. “Limping around with an injured knee can lead to back problems, so you should fix problems quickly if you can.”

Musyj said the changes will become permanent parts of the hospital’s future plans.

Lessons learned are also timely to help with planning for the region’s new hospital.

“This is a great opportunity in the planning of the new hospital, as we will be one of the first post-COVID hospitals built in the province,” Musyj said.

“It’s going to spark even more innovation locally and nationally as we recognize that we can consider doing these things safely.”

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