Every waiting list in Rio has two key time parameters that control how waiting time performance is tracked: the Target Time and the Warning Period. Together, these help teams identify patients who are approaching or have exceeded their maximum waiting time.
Target Time
The Target Time is the maximum number of days a patient should wait before their waiting list entry is considered a breach. Rio uses this to calculate each patient's breach date and flag overdue entries.
Common Target Time values include:
126 days (18 weeks) for services subject to the RTT standard (e.g. elective outpatient and inpatient services).
28 days for urgent referrals (e.g. community mental health).
91 days for routine community referrals.
đNote: Target Times should be set in line with your local policy and any applicable national standards. Check with your service lead if you are unsure of the correct value for your service.
Warning Period
The Warning Period is the number of days before the Target Time at which a warning indicator is displayed in Rio. This gives teams time to take action before a breach occurs.
For example, with a Warning Period of 14 days, a warning will appear 14 days before the patient's Target Time is reached.
đ¤Tip: A Warning Period of 14 days is recommended for most services. This gives teams enough lead time to offer appointments or take other action before a breach occurs.
What happens when a patient breaches
A breach occurs when a patient's waiting time exceeds the Target Time without an appointment or admission being recorded. Rio flags breached entries so that teams can prioritise action.
To avoid breaches:
Monitor the waiting list regularly, particularly patients flagged with a warning indicator.
Ensure appointment outcomes are recorded promptly so patients are removed from the waiting list when their wait has ended.
Review your Warning Period configuration to ensure teams have sufficient lead time.