Wait Times for MRI Scan
50th percentile: Half of all patients waited this many days before receiving care.
90th percentile: 1 out of 10 patients waited this many days or more before receiving care.
The data set contains the following provincial and national wait time information for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
Measures:
50th percentile: Half of all patients waited this many days before receiving care.
90th percentile: 1 out of 10 patients waited this many days or more before receiving care.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Median and 90th Percentile Waits
The national estimate for the 50th and 90th percentiles was calculated using a weighted average of provincial submissions. Weights were calculated using provincially submitted surgical volumes.
Not applicable
50th percentile: Half of all patients waited this many days before receiving care.
90th percentile: 1 out of 10 patients waited this many days or more before receiving care.
Excludes patient unavailable time.
Methodology
Name
Wait Times for MRI Scan
Short/Other Names
Not applicable
Description
The number of days patients waited, from the date the order/requisition was received to the date that patients received MRI scans
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. AVÐÇÇò 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
50th percentile: Half of all patients waited this many days before receiving care.
90th percentile: 1 out of 10 patients waited this many days or more before receiving care.
HSP Framework Dimension
Health system outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services
Areas of Need
Getting Better
Targets/Benchmarks
Not applicable
Available Data Years
to (fiscal years)
Geographic Coverage
- Prince Edward Island
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
- Alberta
- British Columbia
Reporting Level/Disaggregation
- National
- Province/Territory
Indicator Results
Update Frequency
Every year
Latest Results Update Date
Updates
There may be some provincial exceptions to the standard methodology each year. For details, please see the Trend tab of AVÐÇÇò’s wait times visualization.
Description
The data set contains the following provincial and national wait time information for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
Measures:
50th percentile: Half of all patients waited this many days before receiving care.
90th percentile: 1 out of 10 patients waited this many days or more before receiving care.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Median and 90th Percentile Waits
The national estimate for the 50th and 90th percentiles was calculated using a weighted average of provincial submissions. Weights were calculated using provincially submitted surgical volumes.
Type of Measurement
Number - 50th percentile, 90th percentile
Denominator
Description:
Not applicable
Numerator
Description:
50th percentile: Half of all patients waited this many days before receiving care.
90th percentile: 1 out of 10 patients waited this many days or more before receiving care.
Excludes patient unavailable time.
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 3.^^.40. ^^ MRI scan, any site
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Routine follow-up scans
- Mammography screening and prenatal screening
Method of Adjustment
Not applicable
Adjustment Applied
None
Geographic Assignment
Place of service
Data Sources
- Provincial Wait Times Registry
Data may come from various sources, depending on the province.
Caveats and Limitations
Some provinces may have some exceptions and their methodology may be slightly different than the standard methodology. For details, please see the Trend tab of AVÐÇÇò’s wait times visualization.
Trending Issues
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 details, please see the Trend tab of AVÐÇÇò’s wait times visualization.
References
Health Canada. . Updated September 16, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2013.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Wait Times for MRI Scan. Accessed October 22, 2024.
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Comments
Not applicable