Indicator Metadata

Wait Times for Radiation Therapy (Percentage Meeting Benchmark)

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

The percentage within the benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within the 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 estimates 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:
Number of adults who received their first radiation therapy
Inclusions:
1. Age 18 and older

2. 1.^^.27. ^^ Radiation, any site

3. All referrals to start or initiate radiation treatment

4. All priority levels and all cancer types

Description:
Number of adults who received the first radiation therapy within 28 days (4 weeks) from the date they were ready to be treated
Inclusions:
1. Age 18 and older

2. 1.^^.27. ^^ Radiation, any site

3. All referrals to start or initiate radiation treatment

4. All priority levels and all cancer types rolled up

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 help understand access to care and to know how provinces are performing in 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 (28 days).

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

Getting Better

Within 4 weeks (28 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:
2019

All provinces

National, Province/Territory

Every year

Web Tool:
Your Health System: In Brief
URL: http://yourhealthsystem.cihi.ca/inbrief/?lang=en#!/indicators/003/radiation-treatment-wait-times

There might be some provincial exceptions to the standard method. For more information, visit the Wait Times website and view provincial exceptions (http://waittimes.cihi.ca/All/radiation).

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/radiation).

Since 2008, an increasing number of provinces have adapted to the standard methodology 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/radiation).

Not applicable