Ontario is expanding its Pay for Results program for hospitals to shorten ER wait times. Through a $100 million investment, an additional 25 hospitals are being added to the program bringing the total to 71. Since it was introduced in 2008, the program has helped participating hospitals lower overall wait times by 4.7 hours (28 per cent) for patients who require complex medical care or admission to hospital, and by 1.4 hours (22 per cent) for those with minor conditions. The program helps hospitals implement initiatives like patient flow tracking systems, which improve discharge and admission processes, or hiring nurse practitioners to treat patients with less complex conditions. (News release at www.news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2010/07/er-wait-times-program-expands.html)