The Department of Health said in a news release on Tuesday that people using MyHealthNB can now view the estimated wait times for various imaging tests. It will reflect the time from when a patient is referred by a physician to when the test is completed.
The dashboard will have the typical maximum wait times for each service, for most patients, over a 30-day time frame. It currently displays wait times for CT scans, MRIs, bone density scans, ultrasounds and mammograms at Horizon Health Network facilities.
Horizon Health Network president and CEO Margaret Melanson said in the release that collecting and reporting health-care data is a priority for the health authority.
“The launch of the medical imaging dashboard is an important step in improving access to, and understanding of, the health-care system in the region,” she said.
Data from Vitalité Health Network facilities will be added as it becomes available.
In the release, Health Minister Bruce Fitch thanked Horizon for their commitment to transparency and efforts to make the data available, and noted his department is looking forward to adding Vitalité’s data to the dashboard.
“We believe that, by giving New Brunswickers more information about the health-care system, we will help them become more engaged with their own care,” he said.
The dashboard does not include wait times for urgent medical imaging, which the health department says are completed as “rapidly as required.”
Morning Email Telegraph-Journal
A clear and concise roundup to start your weekday morning.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Morning Email Telegraph-Journal will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The province said the latest data tools can be found under Health System Data on the MyHealthNB website or mobile app.
“More data is expected to be made available later this year, including emergency room wait times,” said the department in the release.
According to MyHealthNB the shortest wait time for any non-urgent test is 16 days for screening mammography at the Miramichi Regional Hospital, and the longest wait time is 644 days for a bone density test at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Providing medical information to patients is part of the province’s health plan. MyHealthNB has other tools, such as viewing vaccination records, medications, and lab results. It also has links on how to access health-care, social supports, eVisitNB, and X-ray self-booking through Horizon Health Network.
Vitalité Health Network said in a statement Wednesday the health authority is unable to provide a specific timeline for when the wait times for their non-urgent imaging will be added to MyHealthNB, but noted Vitalité will continue collaborating with its partners.
Department of Health spokesperson Sean Hatchard said in an email the department is committed to making it easier for people to access health information and services online with the website and the app.
“The addition of this new data tool will provide New Brunswickers with better information about how long they can expect to wait for their non-urgent medical imaging tests,” he said.
Advertisement 4
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“It will also empower patients to consider referral options that best suit their needs based on the data available.”
For example, patients willing to travel for imaging services at another facility may ask their primary care provider to send a request for imaging to a facility with a shorter wait time, said Hatchard.
MyHealthNB was initially launched in April 2020 to offer residents online access to their COVID-19 test results, and has gradually expanded its services.
Hatchard said it is part of an effort to put more health information in the hands of New Brunswickers, so they can be more involved in their own health-care management.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Share this Story : Wait times for non-urgent imaging tests now on MyHealthNB
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.