HQO report into Ont. healthcare finds hospital overcrowding systemic of bigger issues

The annual report from Health Quality Ontario concerning the provincial's healthcare system suggests hospital overcrowding is a symptom of other problems, such as:

• ER visits are on the rise, especially among patients with serious conditions. Plus, patients are spending more time in the ER before being admitted to hospital;
• Hospital ERs are also facing an increased challenge dealing with the opioid crisis;
• The number of hospital beds occupied by patients waiting to receive care elsewhere continues to increase and is equivalent to more than 10 large, 400-bed hospitals filled to capacity every day; and
• Patients are waiting longer to access long-term care, assisted living and home care, from hospital and from the community.

The report also finds that more Ontarians as a whole are living past age 75 and that more patients have cancer and and general surgeries within prescribed wait times.
Related:
Le système de santé de l'Ontario fait l'objet de pressions accrues - Qualité des services de sant Ontario
À la hauteur 2018 : Défis complexes - Qualité des services de sant Ontario
Measuring Up 2018: Complex Challenges - Health Quality Ontario