Alberta Health a model system

RE: WILD ROSE LESSONS FOR ONTARIO’S SUPER HEALTH AGENCIES, JULY 22

At Alberta Health Services, we welcome criticism — and praise — when it comes to the way we provide health care to Albertans. However, we were disappointed to see a story that is unfortunately based on incorrect information and an outdated mythology.

Since its inception a decade ago, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has resulted in a more efficient, effective health-care system, saving Albertans money and improving patient care.

While it is true Alberta’s per capita health-care costs are some of the highest in Canada, this is not due to bloated administration or excess bureaucracy — quite the opposite. Alberta spends the lowest amount on health administration of any other system in the country. This is a direct result of efforts to curb costs, reduce management and find efficiencies.

AHS’ total administration expenses are the lowest among all Canadian healthcare organizations — 27 per cent lower than the national average, according to the latest Canadian Institute for Health Information data.

Alberta’s administrative costs are significantly lower than in Ontario, which spends 5.8 per cent of its total health-care expenses on administration, the highest in the country.

AHS benchmarks favourably with health systems across Canada, according to CIHI. AHS ranks first or second among provinces and territories in a dozen performance indicators, including least total time spent in an emergency department for admitted patients and best perceived health, both best in Canada.

Our provincewide model has enabled AHS to drive innovation and spread best practices across Alberta through our Strategic Clinical Networks.

McMaster University recently studied rapid-learning health systems in Canada and its report pointed to AHS Strategic Clinical Networks as an excellent example of how to improve patient outcomes and experiences. Healthcare leaders from more than 40 countries named AHS one of the top five most integrated health systems in the world last May at the 18th International Congress on Integrated Care. Delegates also ranked AHS second in the world — behind only the Netherlands — as the health system from which the most could be learned.

AHS has balanced its budgets for all but its inaugural year, and we’ve reduced growth of our expenses from 5.7 per cent annually during AHS’ first six years to 2.6 per cent over the last three years.

AHS faces the same wait time challenges as health systems across Canada and around the world. We’re not immune to the demographic trends that show Alberta’s population is growing and aging.

Moving to a single provincewide health system was the right thing to do for Alberta and our province’s health-care system is on the right track. Dr. Verna Yiu President and CEO Alberta Health Services