Legislative Electronic Publications -- $2.5 Million Announced To Improve Cardiac Care: Chomiak

Manitoba Government News Release:
Information Services, Room 29, Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8 Telephone: (204)
945-3746 Fax: (204) 945-3988

November 25, 2003

$2.5 MILLION ANNOUNCED TO IMPROVE CARDIAC CARE: CHOMIAK
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Funding for 1,300 Procedures, New Equipment among Improvements

The team appointed to implement the plan to redevelop Manitoba’s cardiac care program has already moved forward on several important recommendations of the cardiac care external review, Health Minister Dave Chomiak said today.

"The team has worked diligently to implement the key recommendations Dr. Arvind Koshal made when he released his report three months ago," said Chomiak. "While there is much work left to be done, I’m pleased with the progress that has been made so far in the implementation of Dr. Koshal’s report."

The team, chaired by Winnipeg Regional Health Authority CEO Dr. Brian Postl, has moved forward on the following initiatives:

Funding of $2.5 million has been made available in the current budget to implement Koshal’s recommendations.

Cardiac surgery volumes are increasing to 1,300 per year to maintain the levels recommended by the Cardiac Network of Ontario.

Surgical cancellations have been reduced. Elective patients who have their surgeries cancelled when emergencies arise or due to staff shortages are given priority in rescheduling. As a result, patients are now rarely rescheduled more than once.

An additional wait list co-ordinator is being hired so there are two dedicated cardiac team members to work with patients and to hold weekly meetings with surgeons to improve tracking of patients’ conditions.

Investments in new equipment include a heart lung machine, telemetry and monitors, as well as graft harvesting equipment to support the consolidating of the cardiac surgery program at St. Boniface General Hospital.

As well, a nationwide search is currently underway to find key people to fill leadership positions in the new Cardiac Science program.

Koshal, director of Edmonton’s Cardiac Science Program, was appointed earlier this year to conduct an extensive review of the cardiac program. He presented his report to the health minister in August.

"Dr. Koshal told us, if we implement the recommendations of this report, we will have a first-class cardiac program in Manitoba," Chomiak said. "We remain committed to act on the advice of this world-class surgeon and build a quality patient-focused cardiac care program."

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