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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ontario hospitals are doing more with less, but at a cost
Ontario hospitals have become experts at efficiency in recent years, in part because they have had to. But that has come at a cost, according to a new report from the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA). Among those costs are record waits in emergency departments, a growing number of hospitals facing deficits, and a weakening capacity to deal with surges in demand, according to Anthony Dale, president and CEO of the OHA. Given rising health system pressures, the current situation is not sustainable, says the OHA. 'Over time, the strain on the sector has left hospitals with little ability to expand to manage surges in demand — be it the increasing needs of the population, or the next pandemic,' the report titled: Ontario Hospitals — Leaders in Efficiency warns. Ontario ranks the lowest in Canada when it comes to per capita spending on hospitals. The province spends $1,935 per person. The average spent by other provinces is $2,209. It would cost Ontario $4.4 billion a year to fund Ontario hospitals at that rate, according to the report. Ontario's relatively low per capita spending is often pointed to by critics as a sign that the government is failing to properly support health care, but the Ontario Hospital Association sees some positives in the numbers. Its new report notes that Ontario hospitals have achieved good results for patients while also achieving high levels of efficiency. While there is room for improvement and a clear need for reinvestment, Ontario's health system overall performs well in comparison to other provinces,' according to the report. Hospitals in Ontario have accommodated the 'growing and aging population while facing a shortage of beds' by reducing the need for hospitalizations through greater use of less-invasive, same-day procedures and outpatient services, along with other innovations and quality improvements, according to the report. As a result, the average length of hospital stay in Ontario (in 2023-24) was 6.8 days, the lowest in Canada. The Canadian average was 7.3 days, with Alberta recording an average of 8.0 days and Manitoba recording an average of 10.1 days. But there are limits to how much and how fast lengths of hospital stays can be reduced, warns the report, noting a shortage of home and community care may contribute to a longer stay for some patients. By some key measures, Ontario hospitals outperform hospitals in other provinces, despite the per capita funding differences. Ontario hospitals perform among the best in the country according to a measure that reflects whether hospitals are successful in reducing patient deaths and improving care. By other measures that track how well hospitals are doing, though, there are signs that some improvements could be slipping. Ontario had seen improvement in hospital readmission rates (the percentage of patients who return to the hospital for any reason within a specific time — usually 30 days — after being discharged) until 2022-2023, but rates increased in 2023-2024, giving Ontario a below-average performance. The number of patients who received emergency hip fracture surgery within 48 hours has improved recently in Ontario, but remains below average compared to other provinces. Delaying hip fracture surgery can increase a person's risk of death. The report notes that it will take an investment in a range of health services to maintain the kind of care required. That includes increased and coordinated home care, rehabilitation, long-term care and primary care. Dale said hospitals are proud of their efficiency, 'but you can't count on continuing to harvest significant efficiencies from the hospital sector. We need to turn the page.' Without change, he said, 'the system will find it harder and harder to meet the full needs of the population that expects access to care. Let's stop focusing on a single-minded obsession with efficiency. We have to look at this in a different way'. That includes more funding for innovation as well as giving hospitals a better long-range picture of how big their budgets will be. Additional hospital beds and staffing support will help hospitals, the report says. 'However, what will shape the health system to meet future needs is further investment in research and innovation to change the way hospitals work. It's a necessary next step toward adaptability and to ensure the delivery of both efficient and high-quality care to Ontario's growing and aging communities.' Join us! The Ottawa Citizen is hosting an exclusive food and beverage tasting event where you can try bites from some of the city's best restaurants and sample beverages from breweries and wineries. Meet the chefs and try their signature dishes with members of the Citizen news team. Learn more about Ottawa Citizen Best Restaurants and buy a ticket here. Related Egli: Two nights in hospital showed me we need to do better for our health-care system 'A tax on sick people': Ottawa hospitals have record-breaking year for parking revenue
Cision Canada
23-07-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Nation-leading hospital efficiency freed up billions for Ontario for years, but further gains are unrealistic
TORONTO, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) today released the third edition of Ontario Hospitals – Leaders in Efficiency, a report detailing the nation-leading efficiency of Ontario's hospitals. Unfortunately, further gains using traditional approaches are no longer realistic due to enormous demand for services from a growing and aging population and, like all other parts of the economy, rising pressures on costs. "When it comes to efficiency, Ontario's hospitals continue to lead the country. Ontario spends $1,935 per person on hospitals, the lowest in Canada, while ensuring access to high quality services for millions of patients every year," said Anthony Dale, President and CEO of the OHA. "While the degree of efficiency achieved over the years has been remarkable, it's clear that addressing the challenges of the future will require further capacity planning and long-term investments in technological and clinical innovation, rather than relying on traditional ideas and approaches." As reflected in this year's annual efficiency dividend, if Ontario spent the average rate per capita on hospitals as all other provinces, the additional cost to the province would be $4.4 billion. Ontario is unique in Canada – only here do independent boards, made of local volunteer community leaders, have accountability for hospital governance and oversight. This local governance and prudent stewardship enabled hospitals to remain resilient for many years by focusing on cost containment while serving their local communities and regions, despite capacity challenges within the hospital sector and across the health services continuum. For years, this freed up billions of dollars each year for the provincial government to invest in other public services and programs that benefit Ontarians. However, Ontario hospitals are facing very significant financial challenges today and the underlying financial position of the sector is under considerable pressure. Demand for health care is rising. Not only has Canada's population rapidly grown in recent years, but as confirmed in last year's release of the Patterns of Illness Report by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Ontarians will live longer with chronic disease. Many people will have multiple illnesses and there are rising rates of illness across all age groups. "Hospitals today are doing everything they can to ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are spent effectively. But we're looking at rising demands, various cost pressures, aging infrastructure and changing population demographics that are expected to intensify in the coming years," Dale said. "Just as we're adapting our economy in the face of trade conflicts and a changing world, we need to prioritize health care as one of our competitive advantages. Technical and clinical innovation within health care will also become increasingly important. Continuous improvement efforts have resulted in Ontario achieving the second lowest hospitalization rate, the lowest average length of stay in acute care hospitals, and the lowest cost of an inpatient stay among all provinces. Building on this track record of operational excellence will require thoughtful planning to expand hospital capacity where needed, ongoing investment in broader system capacity and innovative approaches that shape the future of health care in Ontario. Ontario Hospital Association Established in 1924, the OHA serves as the voice of the province's public hospitals, supporting them through advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement, labour relations, and data and analytics with the goal of helping hospitals build a better health system. The OHA is also attuned to the broader strategic questions facing the future of the province's health care system and we work to ensure Ontario's hospitals have a voice in shaping this longer-term vision.
Cision Canada
15-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Ontario's Hospitals to Adapt and Change in the Face of Uncertainty
TORONTO , May 15, 2025 /CNW/ - "The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), alongside Ontario's hospitals, welcomes the investments announced for hospitals and the broader health care system in the 2025/2026 Ontario Budget. However, given that the funding requirements of our sector will not be fully met, Ontario's hospitals will be seeking to work closely with the Government of Ontario to adapt during this period of elevated risk and uncertainty. Ontario is balancing a wide range of complex priorities as it grapples with the most serious threat to the province's economy in recent history. As the provincial and federal governments navigate this challenging time, Ontario's hospitals will step up and do their part by working to minimize impact on front-line care. A longer term, multi-year planning and funding approach will be needed so hospitals can plan effectively through the challenging period that lies ahead. Ontario's hospitals are here to care for their communities and will work collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health in prioritizing decision-making. The OHA supports the Government of Ontario plan to strengthen primary care by rostering an additional two million people with a primary care provider by 2029. By 2040, approximately 3.1 million people will be living with a major illness – up from 1.8 million in 2020. A robust system of primary care will give more people access to a health care provider whose job is to focus on disease prevention and the management of chronic conditions. If the strategy is effective, in time, primary care will become the backstop of Ontario's health care system – rather than hospitals - ensuring more people receive care in a more appropriate and cost-effective setting. Over the long term, Ontario's hospitals will continue to adapt and innovate as they always have. Hospitals will look beyond traditional models of care, promote proven scientific, technological, and clinical innovation, and find new ways to ensure its spread and scale. Ontario's hospitals are grateful for the support of the people of Ontario and ask for their ongoing support and understanding in the challenging years that lie ahead." - Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association Ontario Hospital Association Established in 1924, the OHA serves as the voice of the province's public hospitals, supporting them through advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement, labour relations, and data and analytics with the goal of helping hospitals build a better health system. The OHA is also attuned to the broader strategic questions facing the future of the province's health care system and we work to ensure Ontario's hospitals have a voice in shaping this longer-term vision.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ontario's Hospitals to Adapt and Change in the Face of Uncertainty
Already Facing a Growing Wave of Chronic Disease, U.S. Attack on Ontario Threatens Prosperity, Provincial Revenues TORONTO , May 15, 2025 /CNW/ - "The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), alongside Ontario's hospitals, welcomes the investments announced for hospitals and the broader health care system in the 2025/2026 Ontario Budget. However, given that the funding requirements of our sector will not be fully met, Ontario's hospitals will be seeking to work closely with the Government of Ontario to adapt during this period of elevated risk and uncertainty. Ontario is balancing a wide range of complex priorities as it grapples with the most serious threat to the province's economy in recent history. As the provincial and federal governments navigate this challenging time, Ontario's hospitals will step up and do their part by working to minimize impact on front-line care. A longer term, multi-year planning and funding approach will be needed so hospitals can plan effectively through the challenging period that lies ahead. Ontario's hospitals are here to care for their communities and will work collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health in prioritizing decision-making. The OHA supports the Government of Ontario plan to strengthen primary care by rostering an additional two million people with a primary care provider by 2029. By 2040, approximately 3.1 million people will be living with a major illness – up from 1.8 million in 2020. A robust system of primary care will give more people access to a health care provider whose job is to focus on disease prevention and the management of chronic conditions. If the strategy is effective, in time, primary care will become the backstop of Ontario's health care system – rather than hospitals - ensuring more people receive care in a more appropriate and cost-effective setting. Over the long term, Ontario's hospitals will continue to adapt and innovate as they always have. Hospitals will look beyond traditional models of care, promote proven scientific, technological, and clinical innovation, and find new ways to ensure its spread and scale. Ontario's hospitals are grateful for the support of the people of Ontario and ask for their ongoing support and understanding in the challenging years that lie ahead." - Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association Ontario Hospital AssociationEstablished in 1924, the OHA serves as the voice of the province's public hospitals, supporting them through advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement, labour relations, and data and analytics with the goal of helping hospitals build a better health system. The OHA is also attuned to the broader strategic questions facing the future of the province's health care system and we work to ensure Ontario's hospitals have a voice in shaping this longer-term vision. SOURCE Ontario Hospital Association View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
