[DYSPHAGIA] Fluoroscopy equipment

[eripley@yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

I see from the Toronto Globe and Mail that one of the
major problems with fluoroscopy, a problem known for
about 20 years, has finally hit the public forum, i.e.
the nearly useless, out-of-date equipment still in not
replaced. Ontario, where more than half of Canadian
radiologists work, is one of the worst places for
outdated equipment.  It is estiamted that it would
cost $762million to replace outdated equipment. Fat
chance, I think, given the current state of economic
affairs.
This is not a purely Canadian problem When I first
started out in the field of dysphagia about 20 odd
years ago, most of the equipment we had then was
outdated, in both Canada and the US. Since then, in
travels around NA, I find the same equipment still not
replaced. I'm often sent tapes for interpretation and
comment and even with computer enhancement, I can't
see much of anything useful. 
Ultrasound and fluoroscopic equipment are the worst
and it is estimated in a 23 page report by the
Canadian Association of Radiologists that the numbers
of missed diagnoses is going to increase. About 63% of
all types of x-ray equipment, including fluoroscopy as
well as 34% of nuclear imaging has exceeded its useful
life.  This is one of the predominant reasons I have
been emphasizing the improvement of clinical skills
for many years.
Irene.


=====
Irene Campbell-Taylor, PhD
Clinical Neuroscientist

If one tells the truth, one is sure, sooner or later, to be found out.
Oscar Wilde.

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