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Wait Times for MRI Scan

This indicator provides the number of days patients waited, from the date the order/requisition was received to the date that patients received an 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.

Data updated:
Data availability: to (fiscal years)
Geographic coverage
Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
Reporting level
National, Province/Territory
Calculation

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.

Denominator

Not applicable

Numerator

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.

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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. 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

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

Explore wait times for priority procedures across Canada

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 CIHI’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:

  1. Age 18 and older
  2. 3.^^.40. ^^ MRI scan, any site
  3. All priority levels

Exclusions:

  1. Routine follow-up scans
  2. 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 CIHI’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 CIHI’s wait times visualization.

Comments

Not applicable

References

Health Canada. A 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. Health Canada. Updated September 16, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2013.

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for Health Information. Wait Times for MRI Scan. Accessed April 24, 2025.