The Queen Elizabeth Hospital said on Monday it has reduced a years-long imaging backlog from about 500 000 studies to fewer than 100 in under six months, after introducing 24-hour teleradiology reporting and accelerating diagnostic turnaround times.
The hospital’s director of clinical and diagnostic services, Corey Forde, told the QEH Pulse radio programme that the introduction of teleradiology services has transformed how imaging studies are reported.
“We embarked on a programme with teleradiography… having persons read your X-rays, but they don’t have to be on site. They’re overseas in the middle of the night… now we have people who are reading them 24/7.”
When the initiative began in February, the hospital faced an enormous backlog of imaging studies accumulated over several years, he said.
“We made a conscious decision for all the imaging three years back from February 2026 that we will read all of that imaging in six months. I am very happy to say this morning that we have almost accomplished that task. We probably have less than 100 imaging.”
Putting the achievement into perspective, communications specialist and show host Shane Sealy highlighted the scale of the improvement:
“I want to paint the picture about what that means… 500 000 down to under 100.”
The improvements mean patients no longer have to wait extended periods before doctors can access imaging reports needed to guide treatment, Forde said.
“What it does for you is make sure that the imaging that you’ve done recently… you’ll have it read. So you don’t want to come back for your CT imaging.”
While the overnight teleradiology service is now well established, work continues to improve reporting for studies completed during the daytime:
“The teleradiography actually covers at night… oncology services during the day and any emergency situations that the head of department deems necessary.”
He added that the hospital is also strengthening its capacity while encouraging more Barbadians to pursue careers in radiology.
“We still need our local people on the ground. There’s nothing like a doctor doing a piece of imaging and talking to the radiologist… This is one of those areas that’s quite lucrative across the globe… We have a few Barbadians who are out training… and we expect them to return home.”
The improvements form part of the QEH’s wider 2025–2028 strategy, which aims to modernise clinical and diagnostic services while improving patient care. During the programme, Sealy noted that several departments have already relocated as part of the Enmore redevelopment project, with the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic expected to move to Belleville shortly.
The discussion also highlighted ongoing upgrades within the Diagnostic Imaging Department, including the installation of a new CT scanner in the Accident and Emergency Department and preparations for the arrival of the hospital’s MRI unit.
Sealy said: “The hospital has purchased an MRI and now we’re in the phase of making sure the staff are appropriately trained… What we don’t want is for it to come and sit down and wait idly.”
During the programme, several callers raised concerns about delays in receiving medications through the hospital’s home delivery service. Forde acknowledged the backlog, which was linked to the recent transition to a new digital pharmacy system.
“I want to encourage Barbadians to continue to support us as we go through these institutional changes for improvement over a long-term period. There can be a little bit of pain, but I can assure you there will be lots of gains.”
(LE)
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