Estrie radiologists are sounding the alarm about hiccups in the implementation of a new computer system. In her opinion, these problems significantly increase the delays in obtaining a test result and this could have serious consequences for the health of patients.
Since autumn 2022, examination interpretations have been carried out in the radiology department of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS using a new computer system. This system would be the subject of several complaints from radiologists.
“There are major problems with the functionality and visualization of the images, to give an interpretation, radiopediatrician Dr. Yves Patenaude. So much so that several radiologists have urged the Canadian Medical Protective Association to say there will be errors and we don’t want to be responsible for those errors because the system isn’t working.
TVA Nouvelles received a copy of an email sent to management by another radiologist in the area: “Due to technical issues with the new system, the time it takes to interpret an exam has increased greatly, leading to an increase in the time between the completion of the exams and the interpretation. This is a very dangerous situation for users.”
Currently, around 6,000 patients have undergone an examination in Estrie and are awaiting a result. According to the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, there were 5000 before the implementation of the new computer system.
“Radiologists spend more time interpreting a result and at the end we have exams that were done in December and no interpretation has been done yet. In cancer, for example, it has a major impact,” regrets Dr. Patenaude.
The Director of Multidisciplinary Services of the CUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sylvie Martel, admits that last autumn an adjustment period was necessary, but judges that the service has now been restored: “Currently, the system we offer is of the same quality as so far, despite the adjustment period.
“For now, this is the system we have chosen in the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS and it is the system we will continue to use in the future.”
also dr Yves Patenaude is surprised at the choice of the CIUSSS management: “Three years ago we made the facility a turnkey offer. We provided a computer team and money to install the computer system to radiologists, the Ministry of Health and INESSS. It was rejected by the CIUSSS de l’Estrie.”
dr Gaétan Barrette was President of the Association des radiologistes du Québec from 1998-2006 and Minister of Health from 2014 to 2018: “We wanted to set up a uniform and modern computer system in Quebec. Sherbrooke chose an archaic, outdated, and dysfunctional system for some reason I can’t explain.
He even argues that the CIUSSS de l’Estrie does not spend the available budgets to buy modern radiology equipment.
“Sherbrooke is kind of a rebellious student in the health network. It was like that when I was there and to my knowledge it still is. At some point, Quebec will have to herald the end of the break. There is an abundance of outdated equipment in Sherbrooke and that is unacceptable.