September 4, 2012

At Women’s College Hospital (WCH) we believe in treating patients in the most effective and efficient way possible. By providing the highest-quality care we are keeping patients at home, and out of hospital.

That’s why our Mohs Centre is implementing new strategies to enhance the accessibility of special surgical skin treatments as part of an initiative of the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).

WCH’s Mohs Centre is the larger of just two clinics in Ontario, and the only one in the GTA, that performs Mohs micrographic surgery – a unique procedure used to treat aggressive non-melanoma skin cancers. The technology ensures that as much cancer as possible is removed and it is considered the most cost-effective and timely method for removing squamous and basal cell skin lesions.

“We have an extremely hardworking team here at the Mohs Centre,” said Johana Amar, clinical manager, dermatology and specialized medicine. “Each staff member plays an important role and has done their part to contribute to our wait times initiative.”

For years, the clinic has been providing same-day biopsy, analysis and treatment while the patient is awake and ambulating, minimizing hospital stays and recovery. Its new goal is to reduce the wait time between the initial referral from the patient’s physician and their surgical skin treatment appointment at WCH. The aim is to exceed standardized numbers set by Cancer Care Ontario.

To meet that goal, increased resources have been added and the surgeons and staff have expanded their schedule to allow for longer clinic hours to accommodate urgent cases. The cancellation system is another strategy which lessens wait times. When a patient cancels an appointment, staff fill that gap with someone else. 

“We are always looking for ways to improve patient care,” says Amar. “By putting the needs of patients first, Women’s College Hospital is leading the way in how we treat complex skin cancer.”

For more information about the Mohs Centre click here.

WCH’s Dermatology Team