Nova Scotia Achieves Record Low Wait Times for Hip and Knee Replacements
Nova Scotia has achieved the shortest wait times on record for hip and knee replacements, a significant improvement compared to other Canadian provinces. This development is attributed to streamlined hospital strategies, donor funding, and new surgical technology. The median wait time for a hip replacement in Nova Scotia was reduced to 103 days from 173 days in 2015, and for knee replacements, it dropped to 129 days from 271 days in 2015. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reported that the rate of hip and knee replacements completed within the nationally set benchmark increased by over 20% last year. The improvements are part of a multi-year strategy to enhance patient flow, which includes expanding operating room capacity, modernizing referral and booking processes, and recruiting specialists. 
