Released on October 16, 2006
Saskatchewan Health today announced a new radiology information system that will improve diagnostic imaging services and make diagnostic images and results available electronically to health care providers across the province."A secure system to schedule, store and transmit digital images will improve access to diagnostic services," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "The quick exchange of digital images between health care settings across Saskatchewan will save time, improve the capacity of our diagnostic imaging departments and reduce costs and delays to the health system and to patients."
"Ultimately, putting better information at the care provider's fingertips will result in improved access, quality and productivity of our healthcare system, which invests with public sector partners to accelerate electronic health records across Canada," Canada Health Infoway president and CEO Richard Alvarez said. "Saskatchewan is well on its way to embracing the benefits of innovative technology to improve healthcare."
The Radiology Information System will link with existing hospital information systems to co-ordinate patient information, including X-ray, CT scan and MRI results. The multi-year project will result in a system that stores digital imaging studies and allows health providers to securely access them throughout the province. The system will schedule patients for diagnostic imaging services, improve the utilization of diagnostic staff and equipment, and eventually link with a diagnostic imaging wait list registry in Saskatchewan.
"Having access to images and diagnostic reports from across the province will significantly enhance the process of diagnosis for the people of Saskatchewan," Saskatoon radiologist Dr. Brent Burbridge said. "The need to repeat examinations when patients move from one health region to another will be minimized. Physicians, regardless of their location, through access to a province-wide imaging network, will be able to consult over long distances, resulting in reductions in time to diagnosis, travel expenses and the stress associated with diagnostic imaging examinations."
Electronic transfers of diagnostic images will allow patients' local physicians to consult with specialists long distance, resulting in reduced travel time and costs for patients and more timely availability of results. In addition to speeding up the diagnostic process, the system will also cut down on duplicate testing, which will reduce patients' exposure to radiation.
Implementation of the radiology information system will be complete in Saskatoon and Regina by the end of 2007. The next phase in 2008 will add the six regional hospitals located in Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, North Battleford, Lloydminster and Prince Albert. These hospitals provide more than 75 per cent of the public sector medical imaging in the province.
Planning for a digital imaging system began in December 2004.
The total cost of implementing this system is estimated at $35 million. Canada Health Infoway is contributing $11.4 million. The provincial government and health regions will monitor implementation and base future investments on progress.
Savings from reduced and eliminated costs associated with processing and handling traditional diagnostic imaging films will offset implementation costs.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083 | Kerilyn Voigt Saskatoon Health Region Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386 |
Cindy Hoffman Canada Health Infoway Phone: (514) 397-7335 Cell: (514) 606-7335 |