HEALTH REGIONS RECEIVING DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT

Saskatchewan’s health regions have received $4.8 million from the province to purchase and upgrade diagnostic imaging equipment.

The funding will be added to savings of approximately $300,000 achieved from last year’s group purchase of equipment by health regions, which means a total of $5.1 million for new equipment purchases.  The new equipment will prepare regions and hospitals for the introduction of digital technology and replace or upgrade existing diagnostic imaging equipment.

“This investment provides the foundation for a technologically advanced, integrated diagnostic imaging system, and paves the way for implementation of the new Radiology Information System and the accompanying Picture Archiving Communications System,” Health Minister Len Taylor said.  “It gives health regions the tools they need to ensure patients have timely access to high quality, efficient services, and will enable us to provide even better health care for Saskatchewan people in the future.”

Taylor added about one-third of the funding will pay for items identified by health regions as high priorities, such as new X-ray machines, ultrasound machines and mammography units.

Saskatoon and Regina Qu’Appelle health regions will be the first to implement the Radiology Information System, followed by mid-sized regions.  A digital Picture Archiving Communication System will then be introduced to allow regions to store and transmit images digitally, rather than on film.

The quick exchange of digital images between health care settings across the province is expected to save time, improve diagnostic imaging capacity, and reduce costs and delays to the health system and to patients.  The initiatives complement a $35 million plan for Saskatchewan’s electronic health record, funded in part by Canada Health Infoway.

Recent investments in diagnostic imaging services have significantly increased the services being provided.  In 2005-06, Saskatchewan provided 22 per cent more MRI exams, 16 per cent more CT scans and 37 per cent more bone mineral density tests.  MRI wait times dropped most dramatically, falling 42 per cent over the last two years.

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For more information, contact:

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