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February 26, 2007 — The Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, today celebrated new partnerships that have created innovative solutions to wait times for hip and knee replacement. The Total Joint Assessment Centre (TJAC), located at North York General Hospital's Branson Site, is a new model of care delivery, which evolved through collaborations among four hospitals to reduce wait times and improve outcomes.
"Working together in this new model of care has enabled our hospitals to make a real difference in the quality of life of people waiting for hip and knee replacements in our communities. We are proud to partner with North York General and Markham Stouffville to help more people get timely access to care," said Bruce Harber, President and CEO of York Central Hospital.
"The Total Joint Assessment Centre is one of the first of its kind in Ontario," says Bonnie Adamson, President and CEO, North York General Hospital. "It's unique in that the first assessment of the patient is provided by an interdisciplinary team specialized in musculoskeletal health. A partnership between Markham Stouffville, North York General and York Central Hospitals, it will allow orthopaedic surgeons to spend more time in the operating room and decrease surgical wait times for total hip and knee joint replacement."
"Partnerships like TJAC are important models of care, focusing resources for maximum patient benefit and the efficient use of vital operating funds," says Humber River Regional Hospital President & CEO Rueben Devlin. "They not only provide high-quality care but free up important acute care resources so hospitals like Humber River can do more cancer surgeries, more laparoscopic bariatric cases and other important surgical procedures."
"This is an example of how our health-care system can work seamlessly," said Janet Beed, President and CEO, Markham Stouffville Hospital. "Our collaborative efforts help ensure that patients receive access to these procedures in as timely a manner as possible."
On a first visit to the TJAC, a patient, who has been referred by their family physician, receives a complete assessment and will leave with a plan of care. If the assessment determines there is a high probability the patient will need hip or knee replacement, they will get a second appointment at the centre with an orthopaedic surgeon. The appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon will occur within two weeks of the patient's initial assessment. If the patient is appropriate for surgery, the surgeon will offer all surgical candidates a surgical date within 26 weeks of their referral to the centre. This period is consistent with the provincial access targets set out by the Ontario government.
"Patients at the Total Joint Assessment Centre receive a comprehensive assessment and health teaching, they're not rushed through the centre and they leave confident it was a complete and thorough evaluation based on their condition and needs," said Dr. Ted Rumble, Orthopaedic Surgeon, from North York General Hospital. "The plan of care could include how to prepare for surgery and what happens after. Patients who are not surgical candidates are referred back to their family physician or other community resources with recommendations to cope with their condition."
Elizabeth Brush Austin, a patient in the Total Joint Assessment program, who is now on the wait list for knee replacement, says, "Bad knees impact everything, including my physical health, mobility and quality of life. I want to take my dog on long walks again without pain. I need to keep moving because cardiovascular disease runs in the family and taking long walks will help prevent other health problems."
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From left: During his visit to the Total Joint Assessment Centre, Minister of Health & Long-Term Care George Smitherman spoke with patient Elizabeth Brush Austin. Physiotherapist Anna Gutlin (centre) described the patient assessment process to the Minister.
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