About the WTIS

The Wait Time Information System (WTIS) is a web-based application that enables Ontario Hospitals to capture wait time information related to Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging and Alternate Level of Care. It was developed and implemented by Ontario Health as part of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Wait Times Strategy and Emergency Room/Alternate Level of Care Information Strategy.

Stakeholders Who Rely on WTIS Data

There are a number of stakeholders who rely on the information collected and reported through the WTIS:

Clinicians may use this data to more effectively monitor and manage their waitlist
Facility resources (i.e. Surgical Chiefs, Administrators) may use this data to assess waits across service areas and manage operating room time and equipment
Facilities, LHINs, Health Quality Ontario, researchers, and others may use this data to help identify issues and make informed decisions about resources to improve access to healthcare resources
Patients can use this data, which is publicly reported, to manage their own care and make decisions based on tangible data. Note that only Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging data is reported on the Health Quality Ontario website

WTIS Integration Levels

They way facilities send wait time data to the WTIS depends on how their internal hospital systems are integrated with the WTIS.

See descriptions of integration options and applicability to each line of business in the table below.

Integration Options	Description of Integration	Available to...
Integration Options	Description of Integration	ALC	Surgery	DI
Basic	Waitlist entries are opened, modified and closed manually via the WTIS GUI (Graphical User Interface). There are no HL7 messages.
Standard	Waitlist entries are opened and modified via the WTIS GUI and closed through the facility's own HIS and submitted to the WTIS electronically via HL7 messaging.		*See Note
Complex	Waitlist entries are opened, modified and closed through the facility's HIS and submitted to the WTIS electronically via HL7 messaging.

Note: For new facilities joining the WTIS, the Standard integration option is no longer available. However, existing facilities will continue to be supported with Standard Integration.