Renfrew Victoria Hospital among lowest rates in province for CT wait times

January 21, 2025

Photo in the CT unit (left to right): Stacey Schroeder (Medical Secretary), Chrystal Buzzell MRT (R), Paul Brabant MRT (R), Dr. Angela Varrin (Family Physician, ED Physician, Hospitalist), Cheryl Cameron (Medical Secretary), Melissa Warren (Medical Secretary), Emily Sprague MRT (R), Jenna White MRT (R), Susy Campbell MRT (R), Keisha Godin MRT (R), Dr. Marcus Sampaio (Radiologist), Katie Gilbert (Medical Secretary), Kevin Barnes MRT (R). Missing from photo: Deb Howes, Manager Medical Imaging.

 

Renfrew Victoria Hospital (RVH) successfully reduced wait times for computed tomography (CT) scans from over 400 days to only 2 weeks over the past few months.

In order to decrease the wait times for CT, a 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift was added on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to perform outpatient scans. Also, an extra technologist was added on Fridays for added case load.

The expanded CT hours were implemented on November 4, 2024.

RVH has 10 technologists who regularly perform CT. These technologists also perform other modalities such as X-Ray, Mammography and Bone Mineral Density.

“We are grateful to our CT technologists who volunteered to work more evenings. Without their collaboration, this could not have happened,” stated Deb Howes, Digital Imaging (DI) Manager.

Doctor Angela Varrin, noted that “This reduction in wait times is yet another example of the incredible dedication of the front-line workers at our hospital.”

CT scans provide detailed views of many types of body tissue including the lungs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels. They are also used in the treatment of emergency cases, and are an important tool for the diagnosis of major diseases like cancer, stroke, pelvic-abdominal disorders and osteoporosis.

“Extended delays to imaging modalities that have been deemed medically necessary, such as CT scans, are known to delay prognosis and affect patient outcomes. The staff of the Diagnostic Imaging department continue to go above and beyond, in this case working extra hours tirelessly, to achieve a dramatically shorter wait time for our community. This has continued to allow patients advanced care close to home and in a much timelier fashion. The dedication of the staff at this hospital - in every department - continues to make me proud to call RVH my hospital," said Dr. Angela Varrin.

This reduction of wait time means that RVH now has one of the lowest wait times in the province.

“Of the 105 hospitals in Ontario that publish wait times for CT, RVH is now in the top six. This aligns with our ongoing goal to provide the best possible care and services close to home,” notes Mary-Ellen Harris, RVH VP of Patient Care Services.

Patients from anywhere in the region who need a CT scan can ask their physician to refer them to RVH to have it completed.