Wait Time Information System

The Wait Time Information System (WTIS) is a key part of the Ontario government’s Wait Time Strategy. It is the first-ever information system to monitor, measure and publicly report wait times across the province. Cancer Care Ontario was appointed by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to operate the WTIS because of our experience working with complex provincial health information systems.

There is now a single system to capture and better manage wait times in near real-time for the Wait Time Strategy’s initial five key areas of care: cataract surgery, cancer surgery, cardiac surgery, hip and knee replacement surgery and MRI/CT scans. Starting in 2008, this new system will track wait times for all adult and pediatric surgeries.

• enables the collection of data related to wait times;
• provides surgeons and other health professionals with the tools required to effectively assess patient urgency according to a defined wait times standard;
• measures and reports wait times and data regarding utilization of procedures;
• supplies surgeons, other physicians, administrators and managers with near real-time information for use in monitoring and managing wait lists.
• Reports wait time information to the public on a website enabling patients to manage their own care and the public to assess progress on reducing wait times:

• www.ontariowaittimes.com

As of June 2007, the WTIS has been implemented in 100% of Wait Time Strategy hospitals (81 hospitals). The system helps 1,700 surgeons care for 255,000 patients waiting for surgery (beyond cancer surgery) and 1.2 million patients waiting for MRI and CT scans

About the Wait Time Information Office (WTIO)

Cancer Care Ontario established the Wait Time Information Office, which administers and supports the WTIS by ensuring data quality, performing data audits, and analyzing and reporting wait times data. The WTIO is also responsible for WTIS requirements and release management, and WTIS user support.

Privacy

The Wait Time Information System keeps all personal health information collected secure and confidential. Our privacy policy outlines the Wait Time Information Office’s (WTIO) privacy practices and the safeguards our staff employ to protect personal health information in the WTIS.

The WTIO has a Privacy Lead who ensures all Wait Time Information Office staff follow the Privacy Policy. The Privacy Lead is also the main public contact for information about the Wait Time Information Office’s privacy practices.

Contact the WTIO Privacy Lead

Requesting Wait Time Information

The WTIO has a detailed data access policy. For aggregate and/or record level wait time data, research requests, or for hospitals requesting their own data, a Data Request Form must be completed, signed and submitted to WTIO by e-mail, fax or mail. To obtain a form please contact:

Recent Accomplishments

• Ontario’s Wait Time Information System Receives Awards