Following the directions outlined in the British Columbia Medical Imaging Provincial Strategy, the Northern Health Medical Imaging Regional Team has been working with the provincial group and Northern Health radiologists over the past year to produce guidelines for reducing inappropriate ordering of MRI.
Simultaneously a Musculoskeletal (MSK) MRI Appropriateness Working Group (Facility Engagement) – comprising representation from Primary Care physicians, Orthopedic Surgeons, Internists and Radiologists – had been meeting over the past year to produce guidelines for reducing inappropriate ordering of MSK MRI studies.
The regional MRI requisition form was updated to include an additional field for the referring clinician to state a preferred MRI site.
Based on the recommendations of the working group the following change in process will take place:
Phase 1 (Effective November 9, 2020): The process for ordering MSK and Lumbar spine MRI was changed for UHNBC only.
- All requests for Lumbar spine and Musculoskeletal MRI submitted to the Medical imaging department at UHNBC require an appropriateness checklist form in addition to the standard MRI request form.
- Requests for MRI imaging which do not meet the appropriateness criteria will be returned to the referring clinician with a copy of the new Musculoskeletal Medicine pathway guideline.
Phase 2 (Effective September 1, 2021): The process for ordering MRI at Fort St John and Mills Memorial will change - please note these forms are ready for use immediately.
- All requests for Lumbar spine and Musculoskeletal MRI submitted to the MR imaging department will require an appropriateness checklist form in addition to the standard MRI request form.
- Incomplete and Inappropriate referrals after September 1, 2021 will be sent back to the referring physician for further consideration.
The new requisition, appropriate checklists, the Musculoskeletal Medicine pathway guideline and information forms can be found online on the Northern Health Physicians website under Medical Imaging.