Province Announces New Health Equipment for Pictou County Area
New digital diagnostic imaging equipment at the Aberdeen Hospital in Pictou County will allow area physicians and their patients to make faster and better treatment decisions.
The Department of Health has invested more than $985,000 in new equipment as part of the Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS) expansion project. The project will replace nearly all film-based imaging in the province with faster, safer and more streamlined processes.
"Our plan is to introduce new information technology across the province that will improve the quality of care and access to tests and treatment," Health Minister Chris d'Entremont said today, March 29. "In fact, the PACS system is already making a difference for patients in communities where it has been implemented, including quicker treatment decisions and the reduction of unnecessary travel for some patients."
The PACS system is currently in place in the health districts of Colchester East Hants, South Shore, Capital, Cumberland, Guysborough Antigonish Strait and at the IWK Health Centre. These systems will be upgraded and enhanced to a common standard as part of the project.
"The PACS environment is now considered standard in hospitals throughout Canada," said Pat Lee, chief executive officer of Pictou County Health Authority. "We are grateful to our funding partners for allowing us to replace the film system we've used for many years, with an image production system that uses the latest in digital technology."
PACS gives physicians instant access to results of diagnostic imaging tests including CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds.
"Digital imaging technology has enabled our department to provide better service to our patients and physicians," said Peter Lush, diagnostic imaging manager. "The examination time has decreased and images are available for immediate viewing in key locations within the hospital including emergency room, intensive care, operating rooms and the orthopedic clinic."
Funding in the amount of $316,000 was provided by the Aberdeen Hospital Foundation and the Frank and Irene Sobey Memorial Trust to support the upgrade of the general X-ray room to a full direct digital room.
"We are pleased to partner with the Pictou County Health Authority and the Department of Health to purchase the latest in hospital equipment that enhances health care for Pictou County and also is supportive in attracting and retaining medical staff," said Elizabeth Van den Eynden, chair Aberdeen Hospital Foundation.
The PACS expansion project is a partnership by the Health districts in Nova Scotia, the Department of Health and Canada Health Infoway, a federal agency supporting electronic health record initiatives across Canada. The project began in 2004 at a total cost of $25 million. Canada Health Infoway funds 75 per cent of specific elements of the project that meet its funding criteria.