You are using an outdated browser. We suggest you update your browser for a better experience. Click here for update.
Close this notification.
Skip to main content Skip to search

COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

Infrastructure and Capacity Planning – System Performance Data

With a growing and aging population, Ontario’s renal care system faces significant infrastructure and capacity pressures. Understanding demographic and population growth patterns is important to planning for future needs.

In-Centre Dialysis Occupancy Across Ontario

Results

Eleven of 27 Regional Renal Programs exceeded their recommended maximum capacity for in-centre dialysis (dialysis at locations other than at home) in the fourth quarter (Q4) of fiscal year 2021/22. This number has decreased since the previous 2 quarters.

We recommend a maximum capacity for Regional Renal Programs of 85% occupancy (85% of dialysis patient spots being used) at hub sites, and 100% occupancy at each of the non-hub site dialysis facilities (i.e., off-site and satellite units). Hub sites provide a full range of renal care services. They must reserve capacity for patients who no longer meet the criteria for dialyzing at home or in a satellite location and need more complex care.

Why it matters

Measuring the use of hemodialysis resources helps Regional Renal Programs with their planning to ensure they can meet current and future dialysis needs across the province.

See Provincial Occupancy – Indicator Methodology for technical information.

Data Sources
Ontario Renal Reporting System, Regional Renal Program Operational Schedule Information

Percentage of Regional Renal Programs operating above their maximum recommended in-centre dialysis capacity, Q2 2020/21 to Q4 2020/21
Fiscal quarter Percentage of Regional Renal Programs
Q2 2020/21 56%
Q3 2020/21 56%
Q4 2020/21 56%
Q4 2021/22 48%
Q2 2021/22 56%
Q3 2021/22 48%
Q4 2021/22 41%

Data Source
Ontario Renal Reporting System, Regional Renal Program Operational Schedule Information

See Regional Renal Program Occupancy - Indicator Methodology for technical information.

Data Sources
Ontario Renal Reporting System, Regional Renal Program Operational Schedule Information

In-centre dialysis occupancy compared to recommended maximum capacity, by Regional Renal Program, Q1 2021/22
Regional Renal Program Occupancy Rate (compared to recommended maximum capacity) Recommended Maximum In-Centre Hemodialysis Treatment Capacity (capable to deliver within a given week) Number of Prevalent In-Centre Hemodialysis Treatments (delivered within a given week)
Renfrew Victoria Hospital 90% 257 285
London Health Sciences Centre 85% 1,974 2,315
Halton Healthcare Services 85% 815 959
Niagara Health System 86% 1,092 1,275
Mackenzie Health 105% 1,619 1,534
Health Sciences North 88% 803 908
Windsor Regional Hospital 92% 758 821
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre 105% 795 761
Kingston Health Sciences Centre 105% 1,191 1,133
Timmins and District Hospital 121% 111 92
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton 97% 1,686 1,732
Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital 98% 662 672
St. Joseph's Health Centre Toronto 90% 675 753
Sault Area Hospital 100% 237 236
St. Michael's Hospital 99% 1,293 1,310
Trillium Health Partners 99% 1,302 1,319
University Health Network 99% 1,208 1,454
The Ottawa Hospital 103% 2,025 1964
Royal Victoria Hospital 96% 513 533
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre 96% 885 917
William Osler Health System 108% 1,751 1,618
Humber River Hospital 94% 1,518 1,614
Grand River Hospital 97% 1,200 1,238
Peterborough Regional Health Centre 116% 828 715
Scarborough Health Network 118% 2,354 1,998
Lakeridge Health 111% 897 805
North Bay Regional Health Centre 123% 213 173

See Regional Renal Program Occupancy - Indicator Methodology for technical information.

Data Sources
Ontario Renal Reporting System, Regional Renal Program Operational Schedule Information

Improving care in Ontario

We support Regional Renal Programs in several ways to improve access to dialysis:

  • Infrastructure and capacity planning, by providing:
    • dialysis capacity assessments with a 10-year outlook of forecasted demand for dialysis by region
    • quarterly in-centre hemodialysis occupancy reports
  • Strategic dialysis capacity plans developed by Regional Renal Programs to plan for forecasted future demand for in-centre dialysis
  • Funding to support Regional Regional Programs in purchasing dialysis machines and equipment