Indicator Metadata

Not applicable

This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September).

Percentage within benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.

Unit of Analysis: Client or patient

Calculation of all-Canada estimates:

All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark

The national percentage meeting benchmark estimate was calculated as follows:

National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100.

Place of service

Percentage or proportion

None

Not applicable

Description:
All patients who had cataract surgery
Inclusions:
1. Age 18 and older

2. First eye only; bilateral cataract removal counts as a single wait

3. All priority levels
Exclusions:
1. Emergency cases

2. Days when patient was unavailable

Description:
Patients who had cataract surgery within 16 weeks (112 days)
Inclusions:
1. Age 18 and older

2. First eye only; bilateral cataract removal counts as a single wait

3. All priority levels
Exclusions:
1. Emergency cases

2. Days when patient was unavailable

In 2004, Canada's first ministers agreed to work toward reducing wait times for five priority areas: cancer treatment, cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. CIHI was mandated to collect wait time information and monitor provincial progress in meeting benchmarks.

Many factors affect wait times, for example, availability of resources, efficiency of a particular facility, seasonal effects, volumes, patient choice, patient condition, follow-up care and/or treatment complexity.

This indicator can be used to understand access to care and to know how provinces are performing in terms of providing access to services.

The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (112 days).

Health System Outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services

Getting Better

Within 16 weeks (112 days)

Health Canada. A 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. Health Canada. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/delivery-prestation/fptcollab/2004-fmm-rpm/index-eng.php. Updated September 16, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2013.

Provincial Wait Times Registry, Data may come from various sources, depending on the province.

Type of Year:
Fiscal
First Available Year:
2008
Last Available Year:
2017

All provinces

National, Province/Territory

Every year

Web Tool:
Wait Times
URL: http://waittimes.cihi.ca/All/cataract

There may be some provincial exceptions to the standard methodology each year. For more information, visit the Wait Times website and view provincial exceptions (http://waittimes.cihi.ca/All/cataract).

Some provinces may have some exceptions and their methodology may be slightly different than the standard methodology. For more information, visit the Wait Times website and view provincial exceptions (http://waittimes.cihi.ca/All/cataract).

Since 2008, an increasing number of provinces have adapted to the standard methodology in order to increase the comparability of results. When comparing data for a particular province over time, attention should be given to the exceptions. For more information, visit the Wait Times website and view provincial exceptions (http://waittimes.cihi.ca/All/cataract).

Not applicable