Medical High Tech Inventory Increased 45% Since 1997
April 11, 2002
OTTAWA - Almost half of the high tech equipment used in publicly funded sites across Canada was installed between 1997 and 2001, according to a report released today by the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA).
The report, National Inventory of Selected Imaging Equipment: 1.2 Analysis by Age and Geographic Distribution of Equipment, analyzes the age of selected high tech medical equipment, the installation timeframe and the number of units per province in relation to the Canadian average.
The report is a companion to the first comprehensive national inventory of selected high technology medical equipment released by CCOHTA in October 2001.
Both the original inventory and the new report examine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scanners), computed tomography (CT scanners), positron emission tomography (PET scanners), angiography suites, catheterization laboratories, nuclear medicine cameras and lithotripsy equipment.
Key findings include:
- 468 of the total 1040 pieces (about 45%) covered by the survey were installed between 1997 and 2001;
- 67.3% of MRIs used in publicly funded sites were installed between 1997 and 2001;
- 51.9% of CT scanners used in publicly funded sites were installed between 1997 and 2001;
- the distribution of equipment among provinces and territories largely reflects each jurisdiction's population as a percentage of the Canadian population.
The original inventory and the current report are available in the publications database on CCOHTA's website (www.ccohta.ca) under 'Inventory: Imaging Equipment.'
The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) is a national not-for-profit research agency that provides evidence-based information on health technologies - medical procedures, devices, systems or drugs used in the maintenance, treatment or promotion of health.
For more information contact:
Mr. Kirk Fergusson, Manager External Relations (613) 226-2553 ext. 276