The annual scan progress report, published on Thursday, shows that the province performed 296,211 MRI scans in the financial year 2021/22. This is higher than the record of 252,527 MRI scans performed two years ago in 2019/20. What is not provided in the report is how long patients wait for an MRI or CT scan. The aging population has led to a dramatic increase in the need for scans. 0:57 BC The government says more MRI scans are being done in BC. The government says more MRI scans are being done – May 2, 2019 “When we pledged to improve access to MRI scans in 2018, we knew we had some bold demands from the healthcare system,” the report said. The story goes on under the ad “We were confident we could make dramatic improvements throughout the system, but we could not predict the success we achieved even in these unprecedented times.” Trending Stories

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The COVID-19 pandemic had several different effects on the system. One of the biggest challenges was completing the scans while the staff was sick with the virus. 2:12 BC Government buys private MRI clinics BC government buys private MRI clinics – September 24, 2018 As part of tackling the pandemic, it is estimated that approximately 30,000 MRI scans were missed due to delays and another 16,000 MRI scans due to prolonged cleaning and disinfection protocols in 2020/21. In early 2018, the province announced the new BC Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging Strategy. It was introduced in an effort to reduce the growing wait for scans in the province. Computed tomography scans have also increased across the province, with 901,256 scans completed in 2021/2022. The previous high in the province was 812,212 scans completed in 2020/21. The story goes on under the ad

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As part of the CT and MRI strategy, the province has dramatically increased machine hours. In 2021/2022, BC MRI scanners were operating over 4,631 hours per week on average – 288 more hours per week than last year. The province has also expanded its focus to increase the supply of key staff, such as technologists, who help with exams. © 2022 Global News, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.