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Essential Medical Imaging Resources

Date: April 23, 2020
Filed under: Clinical Care, Featured, Medical Imaging,


Sometimes, patients request imaging in order to find a solution to their health issue (e.g., headache or low back pain). Unless there are considerable concerns, those who receive imaging fair no better than those who don’t, and results do not affect management or the rate of recovery.

If imaging is not indicated, inform patients on alternative treatment and management that support their recovery. Alternatives may include medication, a referral to physiotherapy or other therapeutic and evidence-based options specific to their issue. For example, stress reduction strategies may benefit patients with either chronic low back pain or headaches.

Below are several tools to support essential imaging!

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Clinical Resources

Contact your local RACE line for the list of available specialty areas.

Pathways is an online resource that allows GPs and nurse practitioners and their office staff to quickly access current and accurate referral information and wait times for specialists and specialty clinics.

BC Emergency Network is a one-stop shop for all resources, including practitioner resources and patient handouts.

  • This Ultrasound Prioritization BC Guideline summarizes suggested wait times for common indications where ultrasound is the recommended first imaging test.
  • The purpose is to inform primary care practitioners of how referrals are prioritized by radiologists, radiology departments and community imaging clinics across the province.

Lower Mainland Medical Imaging MRI Central Intake is a central intake office to direct outpatient MRI referrals for 11 MRI sites across the lower mainland.

  • Central intake allows patients to be booked at the most appropriate lower mainland MRI site with the shortest wait time.
  • Referring clinicians can indicate a preferred MRI site on the requisition if desired.

BC Guidelines are an online resource for clinical practice guidelines, recommendations and protocols to BC practitioners on delivery quality and appropriate care with specific health issues.

  • “Made in BC” clinical practice guidelines are primarily for BC physicians, nurse practitioners and medical students.
  • Health educators, health authorities, allied health organizations, pharmacists, patients and nurses can also find them useful.
  • Guidelines specific to diagnostic imaging can be found at: Diagnostic Imaging.
  • Guidelines specific to appropriate imaging can be found at: Appropriate Imaging for Common Situations in Primary and Emergency Care.
  • Guidelines specific to MRI Prioritization: These guidelines advise referring practitioners on the priority level and appropriateness of imaging for common clinical indications for MRI. Click here to access the guidelines.
  • Guidelines specific to CT prioritization. These guidelines advise referring practitioners on the priority level and appropriateness of imaging for common clinical indications for CT. Click here to access these guidelines.

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