Cardiologists and heart surgeons in Quebec are sounding the alarm on a shortage of staff, particularly perfusionists, which is causing delays and fatalities in heart surgeries. Dr. Bernard Cantin, president of the Quebec Association of Cardiologists, revealed that around 80 individuals have died while awaiting their surgeries in the past year and a half due to the lack of these crucial healthcare workers.
Perfusionists, who operate the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgeries, are essential for keeping patients alive during these intricate procedures. However, there are currently only about 375 perfusionists in Canada, with approximately 40 vacant positions and an expected 60 retirements in the next five years.
In Quebec, out of 92 perfusionist roles, only 70 are currently filled, leading to mounting concerns among medical associations about the backlog of surgeries. Despite warnings issued since 2019, no concrete action has been taken by the government to address the issue. Consequently, the associations are planning to file a complaint with the province’s ombudsman.
The latest data from Quebec indicates that over 1,300 patients were on the cardiac surgery waiting list as of August 23, with nearly 65% of them exceeding the medically acceptable wait times. While the Quebec Health Ministry downplays the impact of perfusionist shortages on canceled surgeries, the cardiologists and surgeons refute this claim, emphasizing that the system has failed to keep pace with the demand for cardiac procedures.
The staffing challenges extend beyond Quebec, with Naresh Tinani, a senior cardiovascular perfusionist in Regina, highlighting the profession’s lack of visibility and the difficulties in attracting new talent due to demanding schedules and better opportunities in the U.S. Quebec, in particular, is grappling with significant strain as perfusionists are lured away to other provinces and the U.S. for higher wages and improved working conditions.
Yannick Pinard, president of the Quebec Perfusionists Association, expressed concerns about the escalating difficulty in recruiting and retaining perfusionists in the province. In response, Santé Quebec acknowledges the recruitment challenges and pledges to attract and retain new graduates to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
Efforts are underway in some provinces to bolster training programs for perfusionists, with plans to increase student intake to meet the rising demand for these critical healthcare professionals. In the face of mounting deaths on surgical waitlists, families like the Fewsters in Manitoba are advocating for greater transparency and legislation, such as “Debbie’s Law,” to inform patients about expected wait times and alternative options if delays exceed medical recommendations.
Pinard remains hopeful for positive changes in Quebec, emphasizing the importance of improving salaries and working conditions to address the ongoing staffing crisis in healthcare.