What is the Rapid Access Centre (RAC)?
Previously known as the North Eastern Joint Assessment Centre (NEJAC), the RAC is part of the SAH Surgical Program. NEJAC is an Ontario Health sponsored initiative cooperating with the Ontario Wait Times Strategy.
The program’s primary goal is to decrease wait times for patients awaiting hip and knee replacement surgery.
Under the new system, patients needing an orthopedic consult for hip or knee replacement will be directed to RAC by their family physician rather than directly to the orthopedic surgeons as is currently the practice. During the Assessment Centre visit, patients will receive a comprehensive assessment by an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP). The APP, who has received specialized training in assessing joint replacement candidates, will act as a liaison between the surgeon and the family physician.
This process will ensure that patients get on the right treatment path faster. Approximately 30-50% of patients are not quite ready for hip/knee replacement surgery, and the APP will help manage these patients through more conservative management options such as physiotherapy. The remaining patients will be referred to orthopedic surgeons for medical management or joint replacement surgery. The surgeons will see surgical patients in a timelier fashion to discuss the next steps.
What We Do
You will be assessed by an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) who has extensive orthopedic skills and training. A comprehensive assessment will be conducted to determine the most appropriate treatment based on your condition’s severity. If surgery is the next step, an appointment with the next available or preferred orthopedic surgeon is arranged, reducing wait times. If surgery is unnecessary, non-surgical treatment options are discussed (education, exercise prescription, injection therapy, assistive devices), and more support and resources are provided to self-manage your condition appropriately.
What is the RAC Low Back Pain program (formerly known as ISAEC)?
The RAC Low Back Pain program (formerly known as ISAEC) is an Ontario Health sponsored initiative to improve care access for patients suffering from chronic or persistent lower back pain. Patients can be referred to the LB RAC by their family physician or NP, who will then contact an advanced practice provider within 2-4 weeks for further assessment.
Referral Criteria for Patients:
- They present with persistent low back pain and/or related symptoms (e.g., sciatica, neurogenic claudication) that are not improving6 weeks to 12 months from onset.
- They present with unmanageable recurrent/episodic low back pain and/or related symptoms of less than 12 months duration post-recurrence.
What We Do
You will be assessed by an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) who has extensive orthopedic skills and training. A comprehensive assessment will be conducted to determine the most appropriate treatment, personalized based on the severity of your condition and individual needs, to manage your lower back pain. If surgery is required, you will be provided access to specialists and diagnostic imaging, as required, and referred for an appointment with the next available surgeon (or with your preferred surgeon).
Further Information
Our Staff
- Rhonda Matthews, Advanced Practice Physiotherapist, ACPAC
More Information
Staff can be reached at (705) 759-3434 ext. 6541.
Click here for more information about the North East MSK Central Intake and Rapid Access Clinics (RAC)