Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Isotope Shortage Looms

Radioisotopes, which are necessary for diagnosing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and bone ailments, are seen in this undated photo.

From CTV News:

The McGill University Health Centre says it's dealing with a shortage of a key diagnostic tool that's in short supply because of maintenance problems at an aging nuclear facility near Ottawa.

Medical isotopes are so scarce that the MUHC is prioritizing testing schedules by making sure that the most critical cases are seen first.

Smaller Canadian hospitals could run out of the isotopes altogether by Thursday and will be forced to cancel diagnostic scans. So far the English Montreal hospital network is still receiving its deliveries, Ian Popple, spokesman for the MUHC, told CTV News on Wednesday.

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