Improving access to vascular services
A new partnership between Sunnybrook, North York General and Mackenzie Health is ensuring timely access to care and improved outcomes for patients requiring vascular surgery services in the Central Local Health Integration Network. The new Joint Vascular Services Program supports the care of urgent and emergent patients, as well as those requiring elective endovascular aneurysm repair or EVAR.
The collaboration ensures that vascular surgeons at the hospitals have tri-site surgical privileges, with Sunnybrook agreeing to provide emergency coverage with a guaranteed bed while the local vascular surgeon is away at North York General and Mackenize Health.
"This is patient-centred care in action," says Dr. Andrew Dueck, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Sunnybrook and head of the Joint Vascular Services Program. "The bottom line is getting patients the immediate care that they require. This was our motivation as we planned how to ensure the best after-hours coverage for vascular care."
Sunnybrook is a recognized leader in EVAR, a minimally invasive technique that is safer than conventional open aneurysm repair and results in shortened hospital stays and a quicker recovery time for patients. Typical open surgery often means a seven or eight hour operation and six weeks to three months to recover, while EVAR surgery takes an hour or two and patients are out of the hospital within days.
"The very nature of vascular surgery problems require quick and timely access to care for good patient outcomes," says Dr. Stan Feinberg, Chief of Surgery, North York General Hospital. "By working together, the three hospitals are creating a system where patient care will be streamlined, high quality and timely."
Dr. Dueck notes that the link between an academic health science centre like Sunnybrook and community partners promotes training and education, as every community surgeon is welcome to assist with the treatment of their complex patients at Sunnybrook, including participation in EVAR surgery at Sunnybrook.
"There is a collegiality that results from this structured and organized approach," adds Dr. Dueck. "The most important thing is that we're providing the best care for patients when they need it most."
