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Qualitycast North: Dr. Joe Costa discusses his work to improve the number of useful x-rays

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Dr. Joe Costa reflects on the privilege of working with Northern patients, and how practicing in Northern BC allowed him to achieve his dream of creating a backyard hockey rink.

In Episode 4 of Qualitycast North, Dr. Shyr Chui connects with Dr. Joe Costa of Prince George. In this episode, Dr. Costa discusses how he and his team aimed to improve the proportion of appropriate, complete, and necessary diagnostic images for musculoskeletal problems from the current 70 per cent up to a new standard of 90 per cent.

A passion for hockey and sports eventually led Dr. Joe Costa to a career in orthopaedic surgery. Orthopaedic surgeries always require diagnostic images, such as x-rays, but due to variation in ordering pathways, up to 30 per cent of x-rays ordered are not what the surgeon is looking for. This leads to repeated x-rays, which are expensive for the healthcare system and frustrating for patients.

He also shares his “earth-shattering” realization that quality improvement science and methodology are instrumental for creating successful change. As well, he reflects on the privilege of working with Northern patients, and how practicing in Northern BC allowed him to achieve his dream of creating a backyard hockey rink.

To listen to the episode, visit the Qualitycast North webpage.