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INVESTMENTS IN MEDICAL IMAGERY

Journalist: Myriam Sainson  Date: November 11, 2011  Region: Sherbrooke 

On Friday, November 4, Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Minister for La Francophonie, Minister responsible for the Estrie region and MP for St. François announced important investments, in medical imagery, for 2012. On November 9, 2011, the administration of the CHUS inaugurated new high technology equipment for diagnostics examinations in radiology, magnetic resonance and in nuclear medicine. The investment of $6M will, without a doubt, raise the accessibility of patients to services and increase the quality and security of the examinations. As part of a triennial plan, 2009 - 2011, for replacement of specialized medical equipment, this financing comes from the CSSS de l’Estrie and the CHUS.

The opening of a multi-functional room with a CT-Scanner equipped with a fluoroscopic mobile arch represents not only a first for the CHUS but also a Canadian first. These two complementary technologies are necessary for musculoskeletal tests, biopsies, infiltrations, drains, ablations and virtual colonoscopies. At CHUS-Fleurimont, in the medical imagery department, the arrival of the Magnetom Symphony Tim 1,5T (IRM) and two more efficient gamma-cameras will transform the traditional methods done up until now.   

''The CHUS will respond to the growing needs of diagnostic examinations to discover any form of injuries anywhere in the body (destroyed ligaments, cardiac malformation, arthritis) and, particularly for oncologist examinations (tumour or metastasis)'', noted Dr. The-Bao Bui, Head Medical Director of the Clientele Program in Medical Imagery and in Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Director in Nuclear Medicine for the Department of Radiology and Professor of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sherbrooke.

Dr. Jean Verreault, Hospital Director of the Department of Nuclear Medecine and tenured professor of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke referred to the two gamma-cameras as the newest technology in cardiac camera: ''gives access to quicker examinations with less technetium - 30% less radiation and with reduced waiting time for the patients”.

 ''For the patient, this would mean one appointment for several complex  operations, less delays to obtain an appointment and more comfort during the examination. This could represent, in some cases, a reduction in hospital stay'', conclude d Celine E. Gervais, Co-Director of Clinic Services and Director of Health Care at the CHUS.

Information: www.chus.qc.ca

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Photo 1: Gamma-camera for cardiac examinations

 Photo 2: Multi-functional room

Photo 3: Magnetom Symphony Tim 1,5T IRM

              Photos courtesy of CHUS