Better Access to Bone-density Testing

Nova Scotians will have shorter wait times and better access to bone-density testing with the addition of three new bone-density machines in the province.

Health Minister Chris d'Entremont announced today, Sept. 26, that machines will be located at the IWK Health Centre, Dartmouth General Hospital and Valley Regional Hospital.

"Osteoporosis affects nearly 60,000 Nova Scotians who are at much greater risk of fractures as a result of the disease," said Mr. d'Entremont. "That's why we continue to provide the necessary tools to help health professionals prevent and treat the disease. The addition of this equipment will increase the testing capacity in the province by 22,000 test per year, doubling our current capacity."

Government will invest more than $850,000 a year to operate the new bone-density machines, which are being purchased with funds provided by generous donors.

"We appreciate the role that hospital foundations and their donors play in providing important pieces of equipment like this to our hospitals," said Mr. d'Entremont. "With limited health dollars and many important and competing priorities, the support of donors for equipment like this is extremely important."

Osteoporosis is a major cause of bone fractures, specifically hip fractures, which are a devastating injury. It is estimated that osteoporosis affects more than 43,000 women and 15,000 men over the age of 50 in Nova Scotia. About 20 per cent of people who have a hip fracture die in the first year. Others may require care in nursing homes.

"We're so pleased to be part of today's announcement, and to be one of the three orthopedic centres to receive a bone-density machine in the province," said Anne McGuire, president and CEO, IWK Health Centre. "The bone-density machine will help us provide better care to the women, children and youth that we serve."

The addition of the bone-density machines is the next step in an ongoing effort to improve diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Increased capacity for bone-density testing was recommended in a report submitted to the Department of Health by the Provincial Osteoporosis Committee in 2002. Machines were added in Yarmouth and Halifax, and operating hours were increased in Truro in 2002 as a result of the recommendation.

The impact of the three additional machines on wait times will be reviewed to assess whether additional machines are needed in other areas of the province.

In the five years since the report, government has implemented provincewide guidelines for bone-density tests and education programs for family physicians and a variety of other health professionals to help them prevent, recognize, and treat osteoporosis. In addition, 50 per cent of the province's long- term care facilities are now providing calcium and vitamin D supplements to residents.

In addition, a Falls Assessment Framework was released by the Department of Health in partnership with the Department of Health Promotion and Protection. This framework is intended to help facilities and health providers with the development of falls prevention programs to suit their specific needs. This was completed in the last month.

There are currently five bone-density units in the province: QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg, Colchester Regional Hospital in Truro, Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Cape Breton and Yarmouth Regional Hospital in Yarmouth.