Question 1: The following is an excerpt from Ontario Hospitals - Leaders in Efficiency, a report released by the Ontario Hospital Association in December 2019.

Ontario hospitals are fiscally responsible and have always strived to maintain access to high quality care. [They] lead the country with their long-standing, lean operational performance. However, they are clearly showing the strain of a combination of years of funding restraint, significant demographic growth and a shortage of capacity in other health sectors. Hallway health care and record-high levels of ALC patients and ED wait times are among the most visible signs of a hospital system under severe pressure... and are directly experienced by individual patients and their families. The current situation cannot realistically be sustained...it will be critical to ensure that the necessary supports are in place to uphold hospital and health system stability and ultimately, access to high quality care for Ontarians.

The OHA seems to be advocating for increased funding for hospitals as they are using current funds as efficiently as possible, yet they are facing increasing strains. Using the concepts of efficiency discussed in class, discuss whether you agree or disagree with this sentiment.

Please limit your response to two pages, and only use the above report, the required readings, and the class notes as references. The response should include a short summary of the OHA report, as well as a definition of efficiency.