The isotope shortage has caused more than just the delay and rescheduling of some procedures.

It is also costing more money.

A report at the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority Public Meeting on Wednesday indicated there are three challenges that have a financial impact.

Corey Miller, Director of Medical Imaging Services, explains the first increased cost is from a surcharge on the generators, which was levied by the supplier.

The second extra cost is switching from the primary medium that is in shortage - Molybdenum, to an available source, Thallium, that is more expensive, for some procedures.

And thirdly, is the increased staffing required to postpone and reschedule patients and alter work schedules with short notice to accommodate the full utilization of whatever isotope is available on a week by week basis.

The projected cost for this fiscal year is an additional 115-thousand dollars.

(ct/nov4/09)

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written by Ponders , November 05, 2009

The University has already been running a reactor for almost 30 years now. Cant they just modify/upgrade that one to make medical isotopes?

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written by mac+fries , November 05, 2009

Time to build our own !!

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