Estrie radiologists are sounding the alarm over the implementation of a new computer system. According to them, these problems lead to delays in receiving the result of the investigation and this could have a major consequence on the health of the patients.
Since the descent of 2022, the examination of the interpretations in the Department of Radiology in the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS have been made with a new computer system. This system would be the subject of several complaints from radiologists.
“There are major problems with the function and visualization of the images to render the interpretation, indicates the radio-pediatrician Dr Yves Patenaude. So much so that many radiologists called the Canadian Medical Protective Association to say that errors will happen and because of the dysfunctional system of the system, which is in these errors, we do not want them to be.
TVA Nouvelles sent a copy of an email from another radiologist in the region to the administration: “Following the technical problems with the new system, the time to interpret the exam has increased a lot, which prolongs the time between the completion of the exam and the interpretation. It is a very dangerous thing for users.”
At the moment, about 6,000 patients have undergone the examination in Estrie and are waiting for the result. According to CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS there were five thousand before the implementation of the new computer system.
“The radiologists have more time to interpret the result and end with the tests that were carried out in December and no interpretation has yet been made. In cancer, for example, it has a major impact,” laments Dr. Patenaude.
The Director of Multidisciplinary Services at CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sylvie Martel, admits that the balancing period was necessary last fall, but considers that the service has already been restored: “At the moment, it is the same system that we offer as before, despite the adaptation period .
“For the present, this is the system we have chosen in CIUSSS DE l’ESTRIE-CHUS and it is the system we will continue to use in the future.”
Dr. Yves Patenaude also wonders about the choice made by the CIUSSS administration: “We offered the training three years ago. Radiologists, the Ministry of Health and INESSE, we provided a computer team and money to install a computer system. CIUSSS de l’Estrie denied.
Dr. Gaétan Barrette, president of the Society des radiologistes du Québec from 1998-2006 and minister of health from 2014 to 2018: “We wanted to establish a uniform and modern computer system in Quebec. Sherbrooke, for some reason that I cannot explain, chose an outdated, obsolete and dysfunctional system .
It is also argued that the CIUSSS de l’Estrie does not have the funds available to purchase modern radiology equipment.
“Sherbrooke is a kind of student rebel in the health care system. It was like it was when I was there, as far as I know, it still is. Quebec at some point will have to sing the end of the recession. In Sherbrooke, the equipment is outdated and unacceptable.
