Joint Replacement Wait Times
Higher proportions are desirable for this indicator.
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait times data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
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: Episode of care
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
All cases of planned total joint replacement
Cases of planned total joint replacement who received surgery within 26 weeks (182 days) from the date they were ready to be treated
Methodology
Name
Joint Replacement Wait Times
Short/Other Names
Adult Patients Who Received Planned Total Joint Replacement Within Clinically Acceptable Wait Times
Description
The percentage of patients who received planned total joint replacements within 26 weeks (182 days) from the date they were ready to be treated
Rationale
In 2004, Canada’s first ministers agreed to work toward reducing wait times for 5 priority areas: cancer treatment, cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. In 2005, the provincial and territorial governments established benchmarks for common priority procedures, including the 26-week benchmark for hip and knee replacement, based on research and clinical evidence.
Waiting for planned surgery is challenging for Canadians. Long wait times can directly impact quality of life and contribute to further health problems. Even though wait times are a top priority for health systems in Canada, long waits for planned, non-emergency surgeries persist — a problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
All provinces and territories have implemented wait time reporting and monitoring systems to track patients waiting for surgery. These systems help highlight the impact of health workforce shortages on wait times for adults scheduled to have a joint replacement, which in turn helps drive initiatives to improve wait times and the quality of health care Canadians receive.
Quebec is included only in the reporting for Your Health System: In Brief.
Interpretation
Higher proportions are desirable for this indicator.
HSP Framework Dimension
Health system outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services
Areas of Need
Getting Better
Targets/Benchmarks
Within 26 weeks (182 days)
Available Data Years
to (fiscal years)
Geographic Coverage
- All provinces
Reporting Level/Disaggregation
- National
- Province/Territory
- Region
Indicator Results
Update Frequency
Every year
Latest Results Update Date
Updates
There might be some provincial exceptions to the standard methodology each year.
Description
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait times data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September), and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
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: Episode of care
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
Type of Measurement
Percentage or proportion
Denominator
Description:
All cases of planned total joint replacement
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- All total hip/knee replacements (primary and revision); bilateral joint replacements count as a single wait
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Emergency cases
- Abandoned procedures
- Cement spacers and elective partial hip replacements
- Days when patient was unavailable
Numerator
Description:
Cases of planned total joint replacement who received surgery within 26 weeks (182 days) from the date they were ready to be treated
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- All total hip/knee replacements (primary and revision); bilateral joint replacements count as a single wait
- All priority levels
Exclusions:
- Emergency cases
- Abandoned procedures
- Cement spacers and elective partial hip replacements
- Days when patient was unavailable
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 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 CIHI’s wait times visualization for the hip and knee replacement indicators: Explore wait times for priority procedures across Canada
Trending Issues
Since 2008, an increasing number of provinces have adapted to the standard methodology to improve the comparability of results. When comparing a particular province throughout years, attention should be given to the exceptions.
References
Health Canada. A 10-year plan to strengthen health care. Accessed May 9, 2023.
Canadian Institute for Health Information. CJRR annual report: Hip and knee replacements in Canada, 2021–2022. Accessed May 22, 2024.
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Taking the pulse: A snapshot of Canadian health care, 2023. Accessed May 22, 2024.
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Wait times for priority procedures in Canada, 2024. Accessed May 22, 2024.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Joint Replacement Wait Times . Accessed April 25, 2025.
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Comments
This indicator is part of a set of common indicators to measure progress on the priority areas to improve health care announced by federal, provincial and territorial governments in 2023. Additional information is available on the Shared Health Priorities web page.
More information is available: