The latest estimate from Doctors Manitoba says the number of surgical and diagnostic backlogs has reached an all-time high.
As of Wednesday, it's estimated that the backlog has surpassed 152,000 cases. The total number will be updated every month. In their latest update, there was an increase of 6,675 cases for a total backlog of 152,116 cases.
The backlog is made up of:
- 56,181 surgeries (an increase of 2,376 since last month).
- 42,931 diagnostic imaging procedures, such as MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds (up 3,230 tests since last month).
- 53,004 other diagnostic procedures, including allergy tests, endoscopies, mammograms and sleep disorder studies (an increase of 1,069 cases).
"This is a new high and frankly, it's very concerning," said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, president of Doctors Manitoba and an emergency medicine physician at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.
Of particular concern is the cancellation of cardiac surgeries because of the growing pressure on intensive care units due to COVID-19 patients, he said.
