Injured woman endures lengthy surgery wait

Max · 12-18-2002, 12:58 PM

Injured woman endures lengthy surgery wait
Waiting list puts operation in fall 2003. Treatment delays in such cases risk further damage, neurosurgery head warns

CHARLIE FIDELMAN
The Gazette

Wednesday, December 18, 2002

CREDIT: GORDON BECK, GAZETTE

Nathalie Girard, who takes powerful anti-pain medication for a serious back injury, has been told she's No. 53 on a surgery waiting list and must wait until next November for her operation.

Nathalie Girard, 35, relies on her husband and teenage children for simple things, like help putting on her shoes.

Until a car accident last year, Girard functioned like anyone else. Now, she can't walk without a cane and must wear a stiff, fibreglass corset.

"I have no life any more," said Girard, who had to close her kindergarten after 13 years of business.

Worst is the excruciating pain in her lower back, hips and legs.

It doesn't let up, said Girard, who changes position every few minutes - sitting, lying, standing and sitting again - in search of comfort.

"I'm afraid of never being able to move again."

But no quick relief is in sight. Not with year-long waiting lists for surgery.

That's the reality for Girard and hundreds of patients across the country.

As No. 53 on the waiting list, Girard is scheduled to get into the operating room in November 2003, if she's lucky, because an emergency case could bump her off until later.

Girard's surgeon has access to an operating room at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital once a week only.

"Her story is not unique. It's a widespread problem across Quebec and Canada," said Dr. Harold Dion of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Just to see a specialist the average wait is three to four months, Dion said.

"Then he puts you on a waiting list for surgery. It's not uncommon to have to wait one year," he added.

Or even longer, according to Quebec's specialists, who warn that treatment delays often worsen problems.

An estimate of people on waiting lists is not available. The Canadian Institute for Health Information is compiling such data. Health Canada doesn't monitor the issue.

Still, in a recent Canada-wide survey of 28,000 family doctors, two thirds complained of inaccessibility to hospital procedures and specialized care, Dion said.

Health-care funding cuts that have left most hospitals underbudgeted and understaffed are at the root of the problem, critics said.

"In the end, it's the patient who suffers," Dion said.

Girard knows that first-hand.

It took eight months to get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test after a car accident in April 2001 inflamed an old back injury.

The MRI showed that a metal pin used to fuse the lower vertebrae was knocked out of place and is putting pressure on nerves in her spinal cord.

Maintaining a position longer than 15 minutes is too painful despite a daily drug cocktail of morphine, anti-depressants, muscle-relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication.

But even heavy doses of morphine can't numb back pain so acute it keeps Girard awake most nights thinking of suicide.

"I just want my life back," she said

The drug bill costs Girard's family $1,500 a month.

In general, when there's constant pain, complete recovery might never be possible, warned Dr. André Olivier, head of neurosurgery at the McGill University Health Centre.

Treatment delays risk further damage, Olivier said.

"After six months (on a waiting list), she would need to be re-evaluated. The disease could evolve. There are horror stories."

Olivier recommended Girard demand her doctor provide treatment at another hospital.

But most hospitals have the same backlog for surgery, replied Girard's orthopedic surgeon, André Desjardins.

Sacré Coeur Hospital has a waiting list of three years, while Maisonneuve-Rosemont's is 16 months, he said. McGill's wait is up to a year.

"(Sacre Coeur) isn't even doing consulting. You have to understand, the list is one thing. I operate one day a week," Desjardins said in frustration.

"There's no budget, no personnel and insufficient technical support."

What's a patient to do?

Agitate for immediate treatment, Desjardins suggested: "When you're fed up, come to emergency."

cfidelma@thegazette.southam.ca

© Copyright 2002 Montreal Gazette

12-18-2002, 12:58 PM	#1
Max Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Montreal,Province of Quebec, CANADA Posts: 15,036	Injured woman endures lengthy surgery wait Injured woman endures lengthy surgery wait Waiting list puts operation in fall 2003. Treatment delays in such cases risk further damage, neurosurgery head warns CHARLIE FIDELMAN The Gazette Wednesday, December 18, 2002 CREDIT: GORDON BECK, GAZETTE Nathalie Girard, who takes powerful anti-pain medication for a serious back injury, has been told she's No. 53 on a surgery waiting list and must wait until next November for her operation. Nathalie Girard, 35, relies on her husband and teenage children for simple things, like help putting on her shoes. Until a car accident last year, Girard functioned like anyone else. Now, she can't walk without a cane and must wear a stiff, fibreglass corset. "I have no life any more," said Girard, who had to close her kindergarten after 13 years of business. Worst is the excruciating pain in her lower back, hips and legs. It doesn't let up, said Girard, who changes position every few minutes - sitting, lying, standing and sitting again - in search of comfort. "I'm afraid of never being able to move again." But no quick relief is in sight. Not with year-long waiting lists for surgery. That's the reality for Girard and hundreds of patients across the country. As No. 53 on the waiting list, Girard is scheduled to get into the operating room in November 2003, if she's lucky, because an emergency case could bump her off until later. Girard's surgeon has access to an operating room at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital once a week only. "Her story is not unique. It's a widespread problem across Quebec and Canada," said Dr. Harold Dion of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Just to see a specialist the average wait is three to four months, Dion said. "Then he puts you on a waiting list for surgery. It's not uncommon to have to wait one year," he added. Or even longer, according to Quebec's specialists, who warn that treatment delays often worsen problems. An estimate of people on waiting lists is not available. The Canadian Institute for Health Information is compiling such data. Health Canada doesn't monitor the issue. Still, in a recent Canada-wide survey of 28,000 family doctors, two thirds complained of inaccessibility to hospital procedures and specialized care, Dion said. Health-care funding cuts that have left most hospitals underbudgeted and understaffed are at the root of the problem, critics said. "In the end, it's the patient who suffers," Dion said. Girard knows that first-hand. It took eight months to get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test after a car accident in April 2001 inflamed an old back injury. The MRI showed that a metal pin used to fuse the lower vertebrae was knocked out of place and is putting pressure on nerves in her spinal cord. Maintaining a position longer than 15 minutes is too painful despite a daily drug cocktail of morphine, anti-depressants, muscle-relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication. But even heavy doses of morphine can't numb back pain so acute it keeps Girard awake most nights thinking of suicide. "I just want my life back," she said The drug bill costs Girard's family $1,500 a month. In general, when there's constant pain, complete recovery might never be possible, warned Dr. André Olivier, head of neurosurgery at the McGill University Health Centre. Treatment delays risk further damage, Olivier said. "After six months (on a waiting list), she would need to be re-evaluated. The disease could evolve. There are horror stories." Olivier recommended Girard demand her doctor provide treatment at another hospital. But most hospitals have the same backlog for surgery, replied Girard's orthopedic surgeon, André Desjardins. Sacré Coeur Hospital has a waiting list of three years, while Maisonneuve-Rosemont's is 16 months, he said. McGill's wait is up to a year. "(Sacre Coeur) isn't even doing consulting. You have to understand, the list is one thing. I operate one day a week," Desjardins said in frustration. "There's no budget, no personnel and insufficient technical support." What's a patient to do? Agitate for immediate treatment, Desjardins suggested: "When you're fed up, come to emergency." cfidelma@thegazette.southam.ca © Copyright 2002 Montreal Gazette

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