Insulted by the comments made by the management of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS concerning radiology equipment, four radiologists signed an open letter to inform the population regarding the conditions they observe on a daily basis.
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“I find the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS reaction extremely disappointing and in bad faith, which states that the computer system is now stabilized. I have to make some corrections, the situation is far from being as stable as claimed,” wrote radiologist Dr. Marie-Claude Lefebvre, supported by her colleagues Dr. Lucie Brazeau-Lamontagne, Dr. Louis-Olivier Bouchard and Dr. Maxime St-Amand.
On Tuesday, radiologist Dr. Yves Patenaude publicly denounced the failures of the archaic computer system and the obsolescence of medical imaging devices (MRI) at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS.
The management of the establishment had reacted, saying that corrective measures had been made and that the computer system was up to date and efficient.
“Okay we can read exams once more, but the system is still dysfunctional with multiple shutdowns of all kinds, with a list of exams overdue with what that means for patients”, continued the four radiologists in their letter.
According to them, solutions have been proposed “repeatedly” to the management teams, without success.
“Decisions are too often made in an office, with administrative considerations, far removed from the reality of field workers and patients,” he said.
Qualified as safe and reliable by the director of information resources and technology at the CIUSSS, Philippe Préville, the MRI machines do not, however, allow, for several types of examination, to have images of adequate quality for the diagnosis, they hammered, and this, “despite the incredible efforts of the technical team to improve the images”.
“Technologies are evolving, and unfortunately for patients, the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS got stuck in 2005,” concluded the radiologists.
The management of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS preferred not to comment on the letter signed by four of its radiologists. The situation will be addressed during a meeting with them, which is scheduled for next week.
