“We are expecting a delivery on Dec. 24 and will be working extended hours over the next several weeks to address our backlog,“ said South Shore Health’s Manager of Diagnostic Imaging Terry Sansford.
Nuclear medicine is a diagnostic tool that uses small amounts of radioactive material to determine the presence and level of disease such as cancer, infection and fractures.
Within South Shore Health, nuclear medicine scans are primarily used for bone scans, thyroid, kidney, heart studies and gallbladder. They provide important information health care professionals use to determine the course of a patient’s treatment.
Nuclear Medicine Services have been unavailable to most patients since early December because the nuclear reactor in Ontario that produces the radioisotopes for a large number of hospitals in North America was temporarily out of service. South Shore Health was able to do a small number of tests using radioisotopes available from Capital Health.
“We are certainly very pleased to be able to resume services and know this will be a relief to patients who are waiting for this important diagnostic test,” said South Shore Health’s VP of Medicine Dr. Peter Vaughan. “We also want to thank Capital Health for their support as well as our patients for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.”
Nuclear medicine tests return
Nuclear Medicine tests at South Shore Regional Hospital that were delayed due to a worldwide shortage of radioisotopes are now being rescheduled.
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