Chinook Regional Hospital, file photo. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By Canadian Press

More MRI, CT scans being completed than before pandemic: AHS

Oct 3, 2022 | 3:47 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) says more MRI and CT scans are being completed now than before the COVID-19 pandemic and there are shorter wait times for urgent cases.

AHS reports that nearly 20,000 of the scans were performed in the first two weeks of September, compared to an average of 17,000 in 2018 and 2019.

Interim President and CEO Mauro Chies says they are spending an extra $11 million this year to reduce wait times for scans, on top of a $33-million increase from last year.

“AHS is working hard to provide more diagnostic scans to Albertans faster,” says Chies. “I’m grateful to all the staff and physicians involved in this work, and Albertans should know that we are committed to making sure they have appropriate access to scans when they need them.”

The government adds that about 62 per cent of urgent MRIs are done within seven days, and that’s a nine per cent increase from 2018 and 2019.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Health Minister Jason Copping says in a release that the increase of scans is a step in the right direction for reducing wait times, but more needs to be done.

The province says there has been a sharp increase in demand for emergency CT scans for COVID-19 patients, and it’s expected to rise again as winter approaches.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2022.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.