North Dakota facility trolling for Manitoba patients
CMAJ 1997;157:1335
© 1997 Canadian Medical Association
Going south of the border is nothing new to Manitobans looking for a bargain, but now residents of southern Manitoba are heading 150 km south to Grafton, North Dakota, for a different reason: diagnostic tests. Since late September, the DMS Imaging Centre has been welcoming patients from north of the border for MRI and CT scans and ultrasound tests.
"We assessed Canadian physicians and found many frustrated doctors," says Steve Sveningson, project development coordinator for DMS Imaging Inc. "We were approached first by some Manitoba doctors and [then] we talked with many in southern Manitoba who had patients upset because they couldn't get an image [taken] and this delayed the diagnosis. We're testing the market now -- I don't know yet if there's enough frustration with the delays."
"At the moment people have a bit of a wait-and-see attitude," commented Dr. Ian White, president of the Manitoba Medical Association. "Clearly there is government underspending on diagnostic [tests] and we are hopelessly undersupplied in advanced diagnostics. We need more MRI and CT scanners. Our waiting lists for nonurgent assessments are unacceptably long."
"All we do is imaging," added Sveningson. "We would have preferred to offer Manitoba [Health] our services, to do this in Manitoba and give the [results] to radiologists. That way the money would have stayed there."
The province doesn't appear keen on the concept. A spokesperson in the health department didn't think that type of arrangement is feasible, although the province has arranged with a Winnipeg-based clinic to help reduce waiting lists for bone-density testing.
"As the minister mentioned when he announced additional funding to reduce the wait for bone-density testing, this was the first of many announcements on waiting lists," said Roger Matas.
Anticipation of shorter lists doesn't appear to be resolving frustrations about delays. "The minister has talked about improving diagnostic services, but we're not seeing any coming on stream rapidly enough," White said.
Judging by the number of phone calls Sveningson has received from north of the border, Manitobans appear to agree with White's analysis. However, the centre only accepts physician referrals. If enough patients pressure their physicians for such a referral, the Grafton centre may stay in business for some time. Patients who go there will be paying from their own pocket. Although travel time isn't onerous, the cost may deter some visitors. A CT scan costs between (US)$385 and $425, while the bill for an MRI is between (US)$400 and $690. An ultrasound costs from (US)$115 to $300.
In the meantime, DMS Imaging in Grafton remains open for business. CT scans are available 4 days a week, ultrasounds twice a week and MRIs weekly. The company specializes in mobile diagnostic services, travelling to different rural communities in North Dakota every week. Its new fixed site in Grafton was created to assess Canadian demand, although it also serves local patients. -- © Jane Stewart
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