The surgery and diagnostic imaging estimates reported above do not include any backlog of wait list that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020. The backlog estimates only capture the pandemic period.
For all estimates, procedure volumes during the pandemic were compared with the same period for the year prior to the pandemic, and the difference is considered the backlog. In some cases, this was supplemented with other data and insights to develop and update these estimates. Because the pandemic has also delayed referrals for surgery and diagnostics, creating a secondary hidden backlog, our estimates attempt to include this for a more complete picture.
Surgery Wait Times: These estimates are based on a composite of publicly reported data from Manitoba Health and CIHI, public statements from provincial health officials and estimates and insights provided by surgeons and referring physicians. Sources include Manitoba Health Wait Time reporting, CIHI’s comprehensive reporting on surgery volume changes, public reports and updates from Shared Health officials, and estimates obtained in surveys from surgeons and referring physicians. See our earlier reports for full methodology.
Diagnostic Imaging Reports: These estimates rely primarily on publicly reported data from Manitoba Health’s Wait Time website.
Other Diagnostic Procedures: These estimates rely primarily on an analysis of physician claims data, supplemented by insights and estimates obtained from physicians. For specialized lung function tests, this also includes related respiratory tests such as pulmonary provocations, gas exchanges and six minute walk tests. Only the backlog for the last six months is included for lung function and respiratory tests.
