Windsor Regional Hospital to postpone non-emergency imaging scans due to dye shortage
Windsor Regional Hospital is postponing a number of non-emergency diagnostic imaging scans due to an international shortage of contrast dye.
The hospital announced Saturday it is monitoring the shortage of a solution known as iodinated contrast dye used in diagnostic imaging scans, resulting in the postponement of non-emergency CT, cardiac angiograms, and diagnostic studies requiring the dye until at least the end of June.
A news release from WRH said it was alerted to the shortage on Friday by its supplier and along with all other Ontario hospitals, has developed mitigation strategies to restrict the use of contrast dye.
GE Healthcare, the hospital’s and a major global supplier of the dye, has four manufacturing sites one of which located in China was recently forced to shut down due to COVID-19 concerns, officials said.
The plant has reopened at 60 per cent capacity, but it is expected to take several weeks before production is back to full capacity.
While orders of the dye continue, WRH said it anticipates it will receive only 50 per cent of its usual shipments in the next few weeks.
The hospital said it will prioritize CT scans and angiograms for emergency situations, including patients with major trauma, possible strokes and cardiac issues, bowel blockages, and critical care patients.
WRH said it will be contacting patients whose upcoming appointments are impacted by this change and will provide further updates in the coming days about the impact on CT scans and cardiac angiogram volumes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.