Medical Imaging

Appropriate medical imaging contributes towards improved patient care and ensures vital imaging is available when most needed.

Canadian studies suggest that up to 20% of medical imaging is inappropriate or non-essential, potentially exposing patients to harm from additional testing, unnecessary radiation exposure and unnecessary anxiety caused by the investigation of false positives.¹

That’s why we launched Essential Imaging, an initiative aimed at helping teams initiate, implement and spread best practices for appropriate medical imaging in five common areas in primary and emergency care:

• Uncomplicated headache
• Minor head injuries
• Suspected pulmonary embolism
• Low back pain
• Moderate to severe osteoarthritis in hip or knee joints

About Our Essential Imaging Initiative

Essential Imaging was a quality improvement initiative to help care providers, team leaders and staff members partner with patients to successfully initiate, test, implement and spread evidence-based best practices for appropriate medical imaging in five common areas in primary and emergency care.

Supported by the BC Ministry of Health and informed by clinical practice, experience and expert contributions, we provided evidence-based and locally tested tools and resources designed to accelerate change as well as coaching and support for participating teams.

The virtual action series took place from March to July 2021 and featured interactive webinars to share knowledge and techniques on embedding appropriateness into everyday work.

Learn from Past Webinars

Essential Imaging Webinar 1: Setting the Foundation

Below you will find the recording and relevant resources from the first webinar in our Essential Imaging virtual action series, Setting the Foundation. Whether you are part of a team or participating on your own, we thank you for choosing to learn from one another, help spread best practice, share your successes and group problem-solve. Webinar Description & Learning Outcomes Contact imaging@healthqualitybc.ca to learn more about Essential Imaging. Learning Outcomes

Learn More Essential Imaging Webinar 1: Setting the Foundation

Essential Imaging Webinar 2: Patient Engagement

Below you will find the recording and relevant resources from the April 29 webinar, Patient Engagement, the second in our Essential Imaging virtual action series. Whether you are part of a team or participating on your own, we thank you for choosing to learn from one another, help spread best practice, share your successes and group problem-solve. Webinar Description & Learning Outcomes Contact info@healthqualitybc.ca to learn more about Essential Imaging. Learning Outcomes Resources to Highlight

Learn More Essential Imaging Webinar 2: Patient Engagement

Essential Imaging Webinar 3: Real-Time Data to Drive Improvement

Below you will find the recording and relevant resources from the May 19 webinar, Real-Time Data to Drive Improvement, the third in our Essential Imaging virtual action series. Whether you are part of a team or participating on your own, we thank you for choosing to learn from one another, help spread best practice, share your successes and group problem-solve. Contact info@healthqualitybc.ca to learn more about Essential Imaging. Learning Outcomes Resources to Highlight

Learn More Essential Imaging Webinar 3: Real-Time Data to Drive Improvement

Essential Imaging Webinar 4: Communication Approaches to Spread Improvement

Below you will find the recording and relevant resources from the June 23 webinar, Communication Approaches to Spread Improvement, the fourth in our Essential Imaging virtual action series. Whether you are part of a team or participating on your own, we thank you for choosing to learn from one another, help spread best practice, share your successes and group problem-solve. Webinar Description & Learning Outcomes Contact info@healthqualitybc.ca to learn more about Essential Imaging. Learning Outcomes Resources to Highlight The IHI Psychology of Change Framework

Learn More Essential Imaging Webinar 4: Communication Approaches to Spread Improvement

Essential Imaging Webinar 5: Engaging People to Spread Improvement

Below you will find the recording and relevant resources from the July 28 webinar, Engaging People to Spread Improvement, the fifth in our Essential Imaging virtual action series. Whether you are part of a team or participating on your own, we thank you for choosing to learn from one another, help spread best practice, share your successes and group problem-solve. Webinar Description & Learning Outcomes Contact info@healthqualitybc.ca to learn more about Essential Imaging. Learning Outcomes Resources to Highlight

Learn More Essential Imaging Webinar 5: Engaging People to Spread Improvement

Stay Up to Date

Things are changing quickly as we learn more about COVID-19 and how to treat the virus. We will update this page if best practice recommendations change.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, we encourage you to visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s webpages for health professionals and public health partners as well as the public. The BC Ministry of Health has also published a COVID-19 support app and self-assessment tool.

The Provincial Guidelines for Medical Imaging in BC During COVID-19 Pandemic Phases are also now available online.