Medical imaging exams in Canada double in six years

What: Medical Imaging in Canada

In 2009–2010, 1.4 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams and 4.2 million computed tomography (CT) exams were performed on Canadian patients, according to new data released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). This represents annual increases in the numbers of MRI and CT exams of 6.9% and 6.2%, respectively, and nearly double the number of exams performed in 2003–2004.

While the number of exams is on the rise in all parts of the country, medical imaging tests are more commonly used in some provinces. In 2009–2010, rates of MRI exams were twice as high in Alberta and Ontario (at 51 and 50 per 1,000 people, respectively) than they were in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador (26 and 25 per 1,000, respectively).

Similarly, rates of CT exams varied significantly between provinces last year, with highs of 197 per 1,000 people in New Brunswick, followed by 168 per 1,000 in Nova Scotia, compared with lows of 110 per 1,000 in British Columbia and 113 per 1,000 in Ontario.

As of January 1, 2010, there were 281 MRI scanners and 484 CT scanners operational in Canada. This represents an increase of 15 MRI and 20 CT scanners over the previous year and an increase of 124 MRI and 143 CT scanners since 2004.

Despite continued growth in the number of exams and machines, Canada performs fewer diagnostic imaging exams relative to population size than the average among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Internationally, rates of MRI exams varied from a low of 13 per 1,000 in Korea to a high of 98 per 1,000 in Greece, while CT rates ranged from 60 per 1,000 in the Netherlands to 321 per 1,000 in Greece. Canada’s rates of CT and MRI exams were higher than those in Denmark and Australia but lower than those in the United States and France.

Media contacts

Angela Baker
416-549-5402
Cell: 416-459-6855
anbaker@cihi.ca

Jennie Hoekstra
519-453-5990
Cell: 519-317-1105
jhoekstra@cihi.ca

About CIHI

Established in 1994, CIHI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that provides essential information on Canada’s health system and the health of Canadians. Funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments, CIHI is guided by a Board of Directors made up of health leaders across the country. Our vision is to improve Canada’s health system and the well-being of Canadians by being a leading source of unbiased, credible and comparable information that will enable health leaders to make better-informed decisions.