Through its participation in the Choosing Wisely Canada ® campaign, Health PEI hopes to improve the appropriate use of diagnostic testing, says Health PEI says acting Provincial Director of Diagnostic Imaging Services Gailyne MacPherson.
Choosing Wisely Canada ® is a national campaign to help health care providers and patients engage in conversations about when diagnostic tests are necessary, such as X-rays, CT, or MRI scans. The campaign is about learning to make smart and effective choices when it comes to radiation levels in tests, treatments and procedures.
“Health care providers are always looking to improve health outcomes for their patients. Being part of this national campaign will help us to ensure that the right tests are ordered, no more and no less,” added MacPherson. “We are working closely with physicians and clinicians to support them in having the important conversations with Islanders about diagnostic tests and what tests are most appropriate for their needs.”
When diagnostic tests are medically necessary, the benefits outweigh any risk; however, there are many reasons to ensure tests are ordered appropriately. Diagnostic imaging tests are the largest source of radiation exposure outside of natural exposure. CT scans in adults and children increased eight-fold since 1980, and continue to increase 10 per cent per year. Nationally, as many as 30 per cent of CT scans and other imaging procedures are considered inappropriate or offer no useful information according to the Canadian Association of Radiologists.
Provincial Diagnostic Imaging Service staff have created tools to assist health care providers with the decision making process when ordering diagnostic tests. Choosing Wisely patient information brochures have been distributed to physician offices and hospital waiting rooms across the province.
For more information, visit www.choosingwiselycanada.org.