|
May 1, 2008
Hospital representative
tours
facility with 64-slice CT
SGCMH Diagnostic Imaging Director, Tammy Meyer, RT (R) (far right)
observes technologists at University of Chicago Hospitals
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is
gearing up for the anticipated arrival of its new 64-slice Computed
Tomography (CT) scanner. A room in the new ER expansion has been specially
designed to house what will soon become the cornerstone of the hospital’s
Diagnostic Imaging Department.
The 64-slice CT
is able to capture images of a beating heart in the span of five heartbeats,
a single organ in one second and can perform a whole body trauma series in
less than 10 seconds - more than twice as fast as conventional multi-slice
CT scanners. Typical procedures include vessel analysis, stroke workup,
oncology care, spinal and abdominal injuries.
Of course the equipment is nothing without
highly skilled professionals to operate it. Recently the hospital’s Director
of Diagnostic Imaging, Tammy Meyer, RT (R), participated in a site visit to
University of Chicago Hospitals, hosted by Philips Medical, SGCMH’s primary
imaging vendor.
“During my tour I was able to
talk to the technologists and physicians using the 64-slice CT about
procedures and protocols,” said Meyer. “I was amazed to see first hand,
oncology patients having a CT Chest, Abdomen and Pelvic scan in only two
minutes. Our current CT equipment may take 15-20 minutes. This new CT will
be incredibly fast and especially great for our patients who cannot hold
their breath or who are unable to lay still for longer lengths of time. And
of course the image quality is far superior.”
Ste. Genevieve County
Memorial Hospital’s 64-slice CT scanner will be equipped with cardiology,
oncology and neurology packages.
Using CT technology, your doctor can quickly and accurately diagnose the
cause of acute abdominal pain, detect an inflamed organ in your abdomen,
identify urgent problems such as appendicitis, and see diseased blood
vessels that can lead to heart attack, stroke, gangrene or kidney failure.
University of Chicago Hospitals was the
first facility in its county to acquire the Philips 64-slice CT, as will be
SGCMH in this area. Meyer said she also had the opportunity to talk
extensively with technologists and
the executive director about operational issues that they have encountered.
“I was also able to see the outpatient MRI,
Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound areas,” said Meyer. “I’m very excited
that Ste. Genevieve County Memorial will soon be offering this technology to
our patients. This tour was an excellent experience because it confirmed
that we really are choosing the best course of action in providing the best
service possible to our community.”
Meyer and two other
technologists will be traveling to Cleveland, Ohio at the end of June for
extensive training on the 64-slice CT in preparation for the new Emergency
Department opening in mid August.
|
