CIHI: MRI and CT scanners up 20% in three years

Patients surveyed report modest reduction in access difficulties

December 14, 2006-The numbers of MRI and CT scanners in Canada have increased significantly in the past three years, along with an increase in the overall number of exams and a decline in reported access problems from patients. These are some of the findings of new analysis released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Medical Imaging Technologies in Canada, 2006 reveals that, as of January 1, 2006, Canada had 196 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, an increase of 50 scanners in three years, and 378 computed tomography (CT) scanners, 47 more than in 2003. In a national survey, the proportion of patients reporting difficulties in accessing a non-emergency CT scan decreased from 14% in 2003 to 10% in 2005, while those reporting difficulties in accessing an MRI test dropped from 21% in 2003 to 16% in 2005.

Growth in the number of MRI scanners in both hospitals and free-standing facilities

The number of MRI scanners in hospitals, which are mainly publicly funded, increased from 121 in 2003 to 164 in 2006, while the number of CT scanners in hospitals increased from 321 to 360 over the same three-year period. The number of MRI scanners in free-standing facilities, mainly privately funded, grew from 25 to 32 in three years and, as of January 1, 2006, these scanners were located in five provinces. The number of CT scanners in free-standing facilities increased from 10 to 18 between 2003 and 2006, and were located in four provinces as of January 1.

Free-standing facilities that responded to CIHI's national survey of medical imaging equipment reported that between 78% and 79% of their revenues from CT and MRI scanners came from private insurance or out-of-pocket payments this year, while 5 to 6% of their revenues came from workers' compensation boards, and 15 to 17% came from other sources, such as research grants.

Medical Imaging Technologies in Canada, 2006

This document incorporates the results of CIHI's 2006 National Survey of Selected Imaging Equipment, as well as data from Statistics Canada. As part of the survey, equipment counts were requested from all imaging facilities and checked against manufacturers' data and CIHI's own data.

About CIHI

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) collects and analyzes information on health and health care in Canada and makes it publicly available. Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments created CIHI as a not-for-profit, independent organization dedicated to forging a common approach to Canadian health information. CIHI's goal: to provide timely, accurate and comparable information. CIHI's data and reports inform health policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise awareness among Canadians of the factors that contribute to good health.