PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - James G. Wright
AU  - Kayi Li
AU  - Cathy Seguin
AU  - Marilyn Booth
AU  - Peter Fitzgerald
AU  - Sarah Jones
AU  - Kellie K. Leitch
AU  - Baxter Willis
TI  - Development of pediatric wait time access targets
AID  - 10.1503/cjs.048409
DP  - 2011 Apr 01
TA  - Canadian Journal of Surgery
PG  - 107--110
VI  - 54
IP  - 2
4099  - http://canjsurg.ca/content/54/2/107.short
4100  - http://canjsurg.ca/content/54/2/107.full
SO  - CAN J SURG2011 Apr 01; 54
AB  - Background: The effective management of wait times is a top priority for Canadians. Attention to date has largely focused on wait times for adult surgery. The purpose of this study was to develop surgical wait time access targets for children.Methods: Using nominal group techniques, expert panels reached consensus on prioritization levels for 574 diagnoses in 10 surgical disciplines for wait 1 (W1; time from primary care visit to surgical consultation) and wait 2 (W2; time from decision to operate to receipt of surgery).Results: A 7-stage priority classification reflects the permissible timeframe for children to receive consultation (W1) or surgery (W2). Access targets by priority were linked to 574 diagnoses in 10 pediatric surgical subspecialties.Conclusion: The pediatric surgical wait time access targets are a standardized, comprehensive and consensus-based model that can be systematically applied to children’s hospitals across Canada. Future research and evaluation on outcomes from this model will evaluate improved access to pediatric surgical care.