TABLE 5.
Wait times for selected indications
| Indication code | Year |
Time, days |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To consult | To procedure | Total wait | Same day consult and procedure | ||
| 1: Severe or rapidly progressing dysphagia or odynophagia | 2008 | n=25 34 (25–81) |
n=12 19 (1–67) |
n=12 83 (35–208) |
n=19 27 (15–60) |
| 2: Stable dysphagia that is not severe | 2008 | n=45 90 (64–113) |
n=23 43 (32–62) |
n=23 135 (93–189) |
n=20 68 (57–112) |
| 3: Chronic GERD referred for screening endoscopy | 2008 | n=44 103 (51–163) |
n=18 35 (11–63) |
n=18 125 (83–279) |
n=16 102 (80–188) |
| 4: Poorly controlled reflux/dyspepsia, NO alarm symptoms | 2008 | n=187 100* (92–126) |
n=75 46 (34–62) |
n=75 163 (128–193) |
n=28 81 (51–102) |
| 2005 | n=92 73 (60–92) |
n=21 34 (8–118) |
n=21 153 (52–253) |
n=18 56 (14–133) |
|
| 5: Dyspepsia WITH alarm symptoms | 2008 | n=52 52 (33–76) |
n=21 11 (3–52) |
n=21 99 (29–150) |
n=15 33 (13–85) |
| 2005 | n=208 57 (43–70) |
n=54 41 (13–52) |
n=54 106 (89–149) |
n=50 18 (11–29) |
|
| 6: Confirmation of celiac disease by antibody test | 2008 | n=16 64 (40–127) |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
| 8: Persistent (>6 months) abnormal liver function tests | 2008 | n=61 112 (81–126) |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
| 9: Chronic viral hepatitis | 2008 | n=38 72 (44–122) |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
| 10: Chronic abdominal pain | 2008 | n=196 105 (91–119) |
n=54 44 (28–72) |
n=54 152 (104–198) |
n<10 – |
| 11: Clinical features of significant active IBD | 2008 | n=116 66 (48–86) |
n=39 35 (25–60) |
n=39 120 (62–141) |
n=12 74 (25–148) |
| 2005 | n=50 53 (22–99) |
n=10 12 (2–153) |
n=10 158 (35–367) |
n=10 26 (1–64) |
|
| 12: Chronic diarrhea or chronic constipation | 2008 | n=211 119* (99–129) |
n=70 57 (42–71) |
n=70 186* (161–222) |
n=18 121 (97–244) |
| 2005 | n=368 72 (65–84) |
n=76 49 (22–71) |
n=76 130 (92–157) |
n=36 99 (32–206) |
|
| 13: New-onset change in bowel habit | 2008 | n=95 75 (63–90) |
n=39 38 (19–68) |
n=39 148 (98–210) |
n=14 81 (40–113) |
| 14: Bright red rectal bleeding | 2008 | n=159 58 (46–75) |
n=81 54 (34–67) |
n=81 136 (107–161) |
n=50 87 (56–134) |
| 15: Documented iron-deficiency anemia | 2008 | n=104 56* (38–71) |
n=50 35 (25–64) |
n=50 90 (70–137) |
n=28 68* (30–123) |
| 2005 | n=201 42 (29–53) |
n=58 18 (10–43) |
n=58 77 (33–100) |
n=48 24 (14–56) |
|
| 16: Positive fecal occult blood test | 2008 | n=65 77 (61–92) |
n=30 41 (30–82) |
n=30 143 (122–219) |
n=14 77 (20–136) |
| 2005 | n=97 57 (45–78) |
n=23 35 (21–57) |
n=23 97 (70–155) |
n=28 23 (18–55) |
|
| 17: Screening colonoscopy | 2008 | n=309 127 (116–142) |
n=160 72 (61–93) |
n=160 201 (179–240) |
n=128 201 (173v250) |
| 18: Cancer likely based on imaging or physical examination | 2008 | n=37 72* (33–107) |
n=16 36* (12–57) |
n=16 82* (34–170) |
n=28 21* (12–78) |
| 2005 | n=53 14 (7–23) |
n=10 5 (1–16) |
n=10 9 (3–75) |
n=41 13 (5–26) |
|
| 19: Other, mostly biliary in nature | 2008 | n=12 23 (15–87) |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
n<10 – |
| 20: Surveillance for previous colon cancer or colon polyps | 2008 | n=37 92 (67–122) |
n=23 88 (69–201) |
n=23 272 (189–345) |
n=19 176 (116–372) |
Data presented as median (95% CI).
*
2008 significantly different from 2005 (P<0.05). GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease; IBD Inflammatory bowel disease