Indicator Metadata
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- Detailed View
Name |
Radiation Treatment Wait Times |
Short/Other Names |
Wait Times for Radiation Therapy (Percentage Meeting Benchmark) |
Description |
Percentage of patients within a province who received their first radiation therapy within the benchmark (28 days) from the date they were ready to be treated. |
Interpretation |
The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (28 days). |
HSP Framework Dimension |
Health System Outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services |
Areas of Need |
Getting Better |
Geographic Coverage |
All provinces |
Reporting Level/Disaggregation |
National, Province/Territory |
Indicator Results |
http://yourhealthsystem.cihi.ca/inbrief/?lang=en#!/indicators/003/radiation-treatment-wait-times |
Name |
Radiation Treatment Wait Times |
Short/Other Names |
Wait Times for Radiation Therapy (Percentage Meeting Benchmark) |
Description |
Percentage of patients within a province who received their first radiation therapy within the benchmark (28 days) from the date they were ready to be treated. |
Calculation: Description |
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 |
Calculation: Geographic Assignment |
Place of service |
Calculation: Type of Measurement |
Percentage or proportion |
Calculation: Adjustment Applied |
None |
Calculation: Method of Adjustment |
Not applicable |
Denominator |
Description:
|
Numerator |
Description:
|
Rationale |
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. |
Interpretation |
The greater the percentage meeting the benchmark, the greater the proportion of patients in that province who received treatment within the benchmark (28 days). |
HSP Framework Dimension |
Health System Outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services |
Areas of Need |
Getting Better |
Targets/Benchmarks |
Within 4 weeks (28 days) |
References |
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 |
Data Sources |
Provincial Wait Times Registry, Data may come from various sources, depending on the province. |
Available Data Years |
Type of Year: |
Geographic Coverage |
All provinces |
Reporting Level/Disaggregation |
National, Province/Territory |
Update Frequency |
Every year |
Indicator Results |
Web Tool: |
Updates |
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 |
Caveats and Limitations |
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 |
Trending Issues |
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 |
Comments |
Not applicable |