Ontario Electroshock (ECT) Statistics 2000-2002
(second rough draft)

compiled by Don Weitz

source: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Government of Ontario
note: These shock statistics are the most recently available a through a
Freedom of Information application-request.  Outpatient shock figures for
2001-2002 are not yet available, and outpatient figures by gender for
2000-2001 are also not available.  Per cents are rounded off to the nearest
whole number.  If these statistics are cited or published, please indicate
they are approximate and incomplete. I calculated all totals and per cents
by gender and age from the raw data. My sincere thanks and appreciation to
Bill Ng in the Ministry for his assistance.

2001-2002
(figures bsed on fiscal year April 1 - March 31)

ECTs
Inpatient 11,060
Outpatient NA
Grand Total 11,060

Persons (cases)
Inpatients 1, 314
Outpatients  NA
Grand Total 1,314

Total Avg ECTs/Patient = 8

Women
ECTs 7,514 - 68%
Persons (cases) 889 - 68%

Men
ECTs  3,546 - 32%
Persons (cases) 425 - 32%

Women 65+ years old
ECTs 2,392 - 72%
Persons (cases) 295 - 74%

Men 65+ years old
ECTs 932 - 28%
Persons (cases) 105 - 26%

Total 65 years old
ECTs 3,324 - 30% (of Grand Total)
Persons (cases) 400  - 30% (of Grand Total)

2000-2001
(figures based on fiscal year April 1 - March 31)

ECTs
Inpatient     12,253 -  80%
Outpatient    2,974 -  20%
Grand Total 15,227 - 100%

Persons (cases)
Inpatients    1,372 -   80%
Outpatients    342 -   20%
Grand Total  1,714 - 100%

Approximate Total Avg ECTs/Person = 9

Women (based on inpatient figures only)
ECTs 7,903 - 65%
Persons (cases) 910  - 66%

Men (based on inpatient figures only)
ECTs 4,350 - 35%
Persons (cases) 462 - 34%

Women 65+ years old
ECTs 2,683  - 70%
Persons (cases) 306  - 73%

Men 65+ years old
ECTs 1,131 - 30%
Persons (cases) 113 -27%

Total 65+ years old
ECTs 3,814 - 25% (of Grand Total)
Persons (cases) 419 - 24% (of Grand Total)
,

Brief Comment:
These statistics indicate several major points: First, most electroshock
(80%) is administered to inpatients, particularly in general hospitals, and
approximately one-fifth (20%) is administered to outpatients. Second, the
total number of electroshocks has apparently decreased from approximately
15,000 in 2000-2001 to 11,000 in 2001-2002. However, the total figures for
2001-2002 are incomplete because outpatient figures are not yeat available
- when available they should increase the total  ECTs administered to at
least 13,000.
Third, in both years twice as many women as men are administered
electroshock (68% vs 34%).  Fourth, approximately 30% of people
administered electroshock are the elderly , 65 years and older. Fifth,  a
disproportionately large number of elderly women are subjected to
electroshock - approximately 75% of elderly shock patients are women, three
times as many women as men.

Added: Jul 29, 2006 1:18 am | Trackback URI |  Email This Post  | Print