Portable x-ray being used by Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Health Services. (Fujilfilm Canada)

By Jaryn Vecchio

New Technology

First-of-its-kind portable x-rays helping people in remote northern Sask. communities

Aug 23, 2022 | 2:00 PM

People in remote northern communities will no longer have to travel for hours to get a medical diagnosis.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Health Services (PBCNHS) has partnered with multiple companies to provide state-of-the-art portable x-ray machines which have officially been approved by Health Canada.

These machines, created by Fujifilm Canada, are the size of an SLR camera.

“It’s a game changer for the north and we’re excited to be one of the first ones to be doing this,” said Genevieve St. Denis, Preventative Health Manager for PBCNHS.

While Fujifilm Canada is providing the machines, Synthesis Health Inc. has created artificial intelligence to help work them.

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Dr. Deepak Kaura, Chief Medical Officer with Synthesis, told paNOW that this will benefit communities who’ve been struggling to recruit physicians to the area.

“Our AI algorithm can look at the chest images that come off this and help provide information at the site.”

The AI also has a cloud archival system that stores the photos and allows radiologists to view them from wherever they are, as long as they have internet access.

The entire setup which includes training for on-site nurses takes around three hours.

“It’s like a Formula 1 pit stop, like 1.2 seconds compared to me changing the tires on my truck that takes me six hours,” added Kaura.

He also believes this is a sign of great things to come for the future of diagnostics. Physicians can get a second opinion in a matter of moments.

“When I’m looking at a chest x-ray, I got the benefit of a hundred other radiologists who’re looking at it with me.”

Along with its easy setup, the archival system allows doctors to provide results to patients as quickly as 24 hours later.

Kaura added these machines are also a lot more affordable, as the price to operate one averages between $2,000 and $2,500 a month. A regular x-ray machine can cost as much as $300,000.

However, for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, the future is now.

“We’re able to diagnose, access, and create a plan for that patient whereas, before this technology, we had to make plans for medical transportation, have the member leave their community, and travel six to eight hours,” said Arnette Weber-Beeds, Executive Director of PBCNHS.

She explained this technology can help limit the spread of different viruses, such as tuberculosis, as those who’ve been affected will know within a day and can isolate themselves from others.

So far, the x-ray machine has been set up in multiple communities, working in each.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow