SASKATCHEWAN BOOSTS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING CAPACITY

Saskatchewan hospitals provided more diagnostic imaging tests to patients last year, due largely to provincial funding for equipment purchases and upgrades.

In 2006-07, the number of:

• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams rose 12 per cent, to 21,905;
• computed tomography (CT) scans increased 20 per cent, to 125,892; and
• bone mineral density (BMD) tests went up 29 per cent, to 14,213.

"Patients deserve timely diagnostic tests, and we are committed to reducing wait times by improving public health care and access to services," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "Waits for diagnostic imaging services are dropping steadily, and we continue to work on innovative ways to speed up diagnosis and treatment for patients."

Taylor added that the MRI wait list has dropped 23 per cent in the past year alone, and that wait times for elective patients continue to get shorter.

The maximum elective MRI wait time in Regina dropped from 43 weeks to 19 (a 55 per cent decrease), while in Saskatoon it dropped from 30 weeks to 26 weeks.

Demand for MRI exams continues to rise, but progress on wait times is expected to continue with the coming purchase of new MRIs for Saskatoon. One will replace the existing unit at Royal University Hospital, and another, the province's fifth, will be located at St. Paul's Hospital.

The number of patients waiting for a CT scan has risen slightly (six per cent) due to increasing demand. However, all health regions are providing CT service within the target time frame established for this service.

The provincial wait list for BMD tests continues to drop dramatically, falling nearly 50 per cent last year. Patients in Saskatoon wait up to 6 months (down from 14.75 months a year ago), and in Regina up to 8 months (down from 13 months). The demand for BMD tests is due in part to Saskatchewan's aging population, and the need for repeat testing.

In 2007-08, $1.87 million in new provincial funding is being targeted at completing more MRI exams and BMD tests. The funding will provide tests for an additional 2,000 MRI patients and allow 5,400 more BMD patients to be seen.

Saskatchewan's new Radiology Information System, and Picture Archiving Communication System will further improve access to diagnostic imaging services by making them faster, better, safer and more secure.

Together, the systems allow quicker exchange of diagnostic images between health care settings across the province, and are expected to save time and reduce costs and delays for patients and the health system.

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For more information, contact:

Joan Petrie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca