Local

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Nurse practitioners can OK MRIs: Oswald

By: Larry Kusch

Posted: 02/20/2013 12:39 PM | Comments: 0

Nurse practitioners will now be able to authorize MRIs for patients. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Manitoba is expanding the role of nurse practitioners by allowing them to authorize MRIs for patients.

Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced the move in a press release today.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a master's level education and clinical experience that allows them to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests. More than 100 nurse practitioners work in health care facilities across the province, including hospitals, QuickCare Clinics, primary-care clinics and personal care homes.

Oswald said they play a key role in increasing access to front-line services. "This change will save patients from making an extra visit to a doctor to confirm the need for or benefit of an MRI, while helping to reduce demands on a physician's time and making the system more efficient," she said.

The expanded authority for nurse practitioners was supported by the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, Oswald said.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.