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January 19, 2010
DUNCAN – Residents in the Cowichan Valley will have access to Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) examinations for diagnosing osteoporosis when the new service begins at Cowichan District Hospital in February 2010.
The service is made possible because of the generous commitment of $150,000 from the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, who are currently fundraising for this project, and the Ministry of Health, through the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), for $115,000 in renovations, installation costs and staff training.
“Cowichan District Hospital Foundation is proud of its success raising funds for medical projects in this Community”, says the Foundation’s Amy Brophy. “This success is possible because of the generous people who live here, and who continually step up to meet fund raising challenges, adds Brophy.”
The test to measure BMD called a DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a non-invasive examination that takes only minutes to complete. The very low-dose x-ray uses about 1/30 the radiation of a standard chest X-ray and takes measurements at the spine, hip and/or forearm.
“DEXA is considered the ‘gold standard’ for diagnosing osteoporosis and also for monitoring the effects of osteoporosis therapy,” said Carol Petrie, CDH Medical Imaging Manager, adding, “We anticipate seeing approximately 1800 of these tests annually to start, increasing as needed to meet the needs of the community.”
The service has been offered in Nanaimo, Campbell River and Victoria and is a great addition to have service in the Cowichan Valley, so people will no longer have to travel. Bookings for the DEXA test come through physician referral and must meet Medical Service Plan criteria.
The Cowichan District Hospital Imaging Department provided 65,000 diagnostic imaging tests in the community last year.
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Contact:
Anya Nimmon VIHA Communications
250.740.6980
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