Despite expanding diagnostic imaging, Canada lags behind other developed countries
22.08.2008 20:02
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Canada has significantly boosted its supply of diagnostic scanners since 2003 but the number still lags behind other developed countries. In 2007, there were 419 CT scanners and 222 MRI machines installed and working, up from 325 and 149, respectively, four years earlier, the Canadian Institute for Health Information said in its report, titled Medical Imaging in Canada, 2007, released Thursday. Despite the increase, the supply translates into 12 CT scanners and six MRI machines per million population. That is below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development median of 15 CT scanners and seven MRI machines per million population in 2005, the latest year for which data is available, the institute said. "Increases in the number of imaging scanners over the last few years mean that the majority currently installed and in use in Canada are less than six years old," Francine Anne Roy, the institute's director of health resources information, said in a release. "These newer machines are using the latest technology to produce more detailed scans." The advantages of the latest CT scanners include: - Better images.
- Faster imaging speed.
- Greater coverage of the body.
- Different setups to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and to accommodate large patients.
The technological advance has allowed doctors to image the heart non-invasively, and perform virtual colonoscopies. As of Jan. 1, 2007, there were 18 PET/CT scanners in Canada and 13 PET scanners. Positron emission tomography or PET scans are used to detect cancerous tumours, some brain disorders and diseases of the heart and other organs. By combining PET and CT imaging, doctors are able to look at how organs are working, while seeing anatomical details of tissues at the same time. While both the number of machines and number of exams performed per scanner have increased, the number of people who operate the machines and interpret the images stayed about the same between 2003 and 2006. Canada had 16,464 medical radiation technologists in 2006, up from 15,289 in 2003. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksNumber of MRIs in Canada soars in last decadeOttawa heart institute to open PET scan research centreIN DEPTH: Medical isotopesExternal LinksMedical Imaging in Canada 2007, CIHI(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesJump in U.S. measles cases linked to vaccine fearsMeasles cases in the U.S. are at the highest level in more than a decade, with nearly half of those involving children whose parents rejected vaccination, health officials said. 3rd death confirmed in listeriosis outbreakA third person in Ontario is confirmed to have died from listeriosis, federal health officials said Friday.Health Canada warns against two natural health productsHealth Canada is warning consumers not to use two unauthorized natural health products because they are not approved by its department and may cause serious negative health problems that could result in death.Despite expanding diagnostic imaging, Canada lags behind other developed countriesCanada has significantly boosted its supply of diagnostic scanners since 2003 but the number still lags behind other developed countries.Lettuce, spinach can be zapped with radiation to kill germs: U.S. rulingAmerican food producers will soon be allowed to expose fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce with low levels of radiation in order to kill E. coli and other potentially dangerous germs. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHFood safetyFrequently asked questions about listeriaASTHMABoys vs. girlsNew thinking about the disease in youngstersFOODHealthy barbecueAudio: Dr. Peter Lin on reducing cancer risks (6:35)IN DEPTHMental healthCanadians earn failing grade for attitudeIN DEPTHWest Nile  HEALTHMemorySurprising things that affect itPeople who read this also read …
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