Major Increases in Diagnostic Imaging Volume & Workflow Innovation

Major Increases in Diagnostic Imaging Volume & Workflow Innovation

In recent years, Halifax Infirmary diagnostic imaging services have undergone transformative growth. Between 2019–2020 (pre‑COVID) and 2024–2025, Nova Scotia Health reported:

• 34 % increase in CT exams

• 31 % increase in MRI scans

• 11 % increase in ultrasound procedures 

This surge reflects not only rising demand but also strategic investments in equipment, digital referrals, and workflow redesign—modernizing care delivery while reducing wait times. Let’s explore how these advances support improved patient care, operational efficiency, and enhanced access across Halifax and Nova Scotia.

1. Imaging Volume Growth: A Snapshot of Demand

Nova Scotia Health attributes this sharp increase to population demands and expanded access initiatives. In the fiscal year 2023–24, the province performed roughly 209,604 CT scans, 40,073 MRIs, and over 3,800 PET scans, alongside tens of thousands of mammograms and ultrasounds.

At Halifax Infirmary, a major diagnostic imaging hub within the QEII Health Sciences Centre, rising volumes across CT, MRI, X‑ray, and ultrasound suggest that pressure on capacity has been significant—but so have investments to expand it .

2. New Equipment & Infrastructure Boost Capacity

To support the increased volumes, Nova Scotia Health acquired four new MRI machines in 2024—two for Halifax Infirmary, one for Dartmouth General, and a relocatable mobile MRI deployed at Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre. This mobile unit alone is expected to deliver nearly 3,900 additional scans in its first year.

Further enhancements at Halifax include a brand-new MRI suite opened in September 2024 with both a 1.5 Tesla and upcoming 3.0 Tesla scanner. These upgraded systems offer faster throughput and higher image resolution—essential for neurology, orthopedics, cardiology, and abdominal diagnostics 

3. Workflow Innovation: eReferrals & Central Intake

eReferrals Transforming Access

A keystone of operational improvement, Nova Scotia’s eReferrals system launched in 2023 and expanded to include MRI and ultrasound in late 2023, with bone density referrals added by December .

Benefits include:

• Elimination of faxed or lost referrals

• Real‑time tracking for both clinicians and patients

• Appointment confirmation via email for patients who opt in

Patients and referring providers receive updates at each stage, improving transparency and reducing administrative delays. Since April 2024, use of eReferral has been mandatory for eligible providers across the province 

4. Digital Health: Patient-Centered Access via YourHealthNS

In June 2025, Nova Scotians gained the ability to view CT, MRI, PET, and mammogram reports via the YourHealthNS portal and app, with imaging reports available 14 days after processing—complementing earlier ultrasound and X‑ray access.

This digital integration empowers patients to engage directly with their health information, improving health literacy and reducing repeat inquiries.

5. Clinical & Operational Impact

Shorter Wait Times

The combination of new MRI units, eReferral pathways, and centralized intake has led to tangible reductions in wait times across modalities. Providers can redirect patients to available slots across departments, leveraging redistributed capacity within public and partnered imaging centers.

Increased Throughput and Quality

Advanced scanners support higher daily throughput and improved imaging quality—yielding faster, clearer diagnostic results. The expansion of ultrasound and MRI using modern protocols contributes to more consistent image interpretation and fewer repeat scans.

Reduced Administrative Burden

Automating referrals and requisitions removes fax clutter, eliminates missing information, and shrinks clerical bottlenecks. Staff report improved communication with referring providers and more efficient booking workflows .

Equity Across Regions

The mobile MRI trailer enhances access for rural and underserved regions by reducing travel and wait barriers. Combined with eReferrals and central scheduling, care equity across Nova Scotia is advancing. 

6. How This Elevates Halifax Infirmary Diagnostic Imaging Services

Halifax Infirmary diagnostic imaging benefits profoundly from these improvements:

• It now houses two upgraded MRI suites—with both 1.5T and 3T machines—offering faster, clearer imaging.

• Workflow optimization through provincial eReferral and central intake systems ensures smoother patient journeys.

• Integration with provincial digital health systems such as YourHealthNS supports patient-centered transparency and follow-up.

• Rising capacity alleviates backlog and strengthens Halifax Infirmary’s role as a regional imaging anchor. 

7. SEO & Commercial Keywords to Include

To boost search visibility and align with how prospective patients seek care, these keyword phrases should be included within blog copy, service pages, FAQs, and metadata:

• “Halifax Infirmary diagnostic imaging”

• “Halifax CT MRI ultrasound capacity Halifax”

• “diagnostic imaging workflow innovation Nova Scotia”

• “eReferrals MRI ultrasound Nova Scotia Health”

• “Halifax diagnostic imaging wait times reduced”

• “Nova Scotia Health imaging volume increase CT MRI ultrasound”

Integrating these strategically across content and internal links can elevate local visibility while demonstrating authoritative expertise.

8. Challenges & Next Steps

While progress is significant, continued improvement depends on addressing:

• Training & staffing: Operating new high-throughput scanners and managing remote/mobile units requires ongoing staff training and recruitment.

• Digital literacy: Uptake of eReferral and portal access depends on provider and patient digital fluency—support materials and tutorials help bridge gaps.

• Hardware maintenance & funding: MRI units and digital platforms require long-term funding and upkeep. Philanthropic support from the QEII Foundation and others has played a key role.

• Data monitoring: Collecting actionable metrics on referral processing time, modality-specific capacity, and patient satisfaction will guide iterative improvements.