Medical Imaging services under review

Bathurst, May 27, 2015 – Vitalité Health Network is presently conducting a review of Medical Imaging operations for all of its hospital facilities.

“At the present time, we have proceeded to certain service adjustments in order to better meet patient needs as well as ensuring patient safety”, said Chief Operating Officer of the Acadie-Bathurst Zone and Vice-President of Health Information Technologies Stéphane Legacy.

Mammography services in the Acadian Peninsula are, for the moment, limited to Caraquet’s Enfant-Jésus RHSJ† Hospital via the use of a digital mammography unit. “The analog mammography unit in Tracadie-Sheila is no longer in service as the quality of imagery generated does not meet updated clinical standards and security. The amount of radiation generated by this unit, the last one of its kind within Vitalité Health Network, was also an important factor in discontinuing its use”, continued Legacy.

Ultrasound scan services for the Acadian Peninsula will also be adjusted, with the addition of a third ultrasound unit at the Tracadie-Sheila Hospital. “We presently have a waiting list of almost eight months for this type of exam. The addition of this unity will allow us to perform more exams in a timely fashion and substantially reduce our wait times”, added Legacy.

A new ultrasound technologist has also joined the Medical Imaging team at the Tracadie-Sheila Hospital. Further, in order to have the space required within the hospital for the ultrasound scan unit, the mammography unit will be removed and renovations will be done in the room to prepare for the new equipment.

A committee is presently studying both mammography and ultrasound scan operations for all Vitalité Health Network facilities and will submit its report to the Board of Directors, who will in turn decide on a future strategy on Medical Imaging.