As part of a 5-year imaging management plan being developed for the si
ngle insurance carrier in Manitoba, the radiologic utilization for the
province was reviewed. For the fiscal year 1993 (April 1, 1992, throu
gh March 31, 1993), 1,056,694 imaging studies were performed in a tota
l patient population of 1,133,117 in 81 hospitals and 39 offices in wh
ich 648 units of equipment were operated by 773.4 full-time personnel
at a cost of $100,302,812 (S75,227,109 in U.S. dollars). The skin dose
for the total population for the year was 40,112 Gy, compared with 35
,513 Gy in 1979. Since 1979, there has been a 9% increase in the numbe
r of radiologic examinations (from 972,426 examinations), a greater ne
ed for more personnel to conduct ultrasound, mammography, computed tom
ography, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations, and striking cos
ts escalation (from $25,082,500 to $100,302,812). Reduction of total f
unding for imaging services will be possible only if the medical servi
ce infrastructure and physician behavior are altered, since imaging is
a support service. Hospital services must be integrated and the infra
structure reduced, and physicians must adhere to guidelines and practi
ce protocols for requesting consultations.