Regulation - LGIC
Proposed amendment to Reg. 965, s.31 under the Public Hospitals Act, 1990 to remove the regulatory requirement to conduct laboratory examinations of tissues removed during joint replacement surgeries
Regulation Number(s):
965
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Public Hospitals Act
Summary of Decision:
Regulation 965: Hospital Management ("regulation") under the Public Hospitals Act sets out a clinical requirement to send all tissues removed during surgery to a laboratory for pathological analysis, unless the tissue is explicitly exempt under the regulation (see section 31). Generally, this provision is a quality assurance practice to support the identification of new information relevant to a patient's diagnosis and treatment. While this provision remains appropriate for certain surgical procedures, the latest evidence demonstrates that this routine practice is outdated and unnecessary for hip and knee replacement surgeries, yielding no proven value to patient care or outcomes.
The Ministry of Health has made an amendment to Reg. 965: Hospital Management under the Public Hospitals Act to eliminate the regulatory requirement to perform a laboratory examination of tissues removed during joint replacement surgeries for a degenerative condition, by adding those tissues to the list of exclusions in s. 31 (2). Operating surgeons would retain the authority to submit any specimens for examination at their discretion.
The Ministry of Health has made an amendment to Reg. 965: Hospital Management under the Public Hospitals Act to eliminate the regulatory requirement to perform a laboratory examination of tissues removed during joint replacement surgeries for a degenerative condition, by adding those tissues to the list of exclusions in s. 31 (2). Operating surgeons would retain the authority to submit any specimens for examination at their discretion.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
There are no direct compliance costs.
The regulatory amendment is expected to result in reduced burden for surgical staff, pathologists, and other laboratory staff, enhancing their capacity to perform other essential and high-value pathological investigations. This change will result in an estimated average annual cost savings of $3,421,357 for supply costs and staff time.
The regulatory amendment is expected to result in reduced burden for surgical staff, pathologists, and other laboratory staff, enhancing their capacity to perform other essential and high-value pathological investigations. This change will result in an estimated average annual cost savings of $3,421,357 for supply costs and staff time.
Further Information:
Reg.965
Proposal Number:
23-HLTC045
Posting Date:
Summary of Proposal:
Contact Address:
NA
Effective Date:
July 1, 2023
Decision:
Approved