CT scanner a crucial tool for patient treatment and outcomes

Our emergency physicians order close to 10,000 CT scans each year. Until this year, porters had to move Stavro Emergency Department patients who require these scans to our busy Margaret Chambers Diagnostic Imaging Department and then back to the emergency department for care. Now, thanks to the Garron family's generous gift, medical staff at Michael Garron Hospital are saving valuable time assessing and treating critically ill or injured patients with the new CT scanner, which is located in the Stavro Emergency Department.

Since January 2019, the new CT scanner performed nearly 20,000 patient exams—an average of approximately 56 per day. It is also able to manage a variety of different health concerns, with almost 150 exam types performed this year.

CT scanning is a crucial tool—not just for patient diagnosis, but treatment and outcomes as well. The new top-tier scanners have technological advancements that result in even better patient care; significantly sharper images to accurately diagnose and monitor disease, faster scan time and a 40 per cent lower dose of radiation. The combination of speed and quality in imaging can truly mean the difference between life and death for many patients. Other improved features include:

• Increased scan range, making it possible to cover multiple regions in a single scan set up and decreased scan time
• Flexible table access for pediatric, elderly and emergency patients, and a wider bore width to maximize patient comfort
• Lateral table movement to allow technologists to position and move patients as needed
• Quieter than conventional scanners
• Child-friendly features, including a TV screen with an animated character who provides clear instructions and helps to minimize any fear

The new CT scanner’s location in the Emergency Department is not only helping our physicians get patients to lifesaving equipment more quickly, it is also helping us separate the flow of in- and outpatients. We are proud to be one of the few community hospitals in Ontario to have CT scanning capability right in our Emergency Department.

Donor support is helping our hospital significantly elevate our diagnostic imaging capabilities and improve patient care by helping us identify issues earlier and intervene sooner. As the health needs of our community continue to grow, we’re working to improve access to diagnostic services, while providing greater patient comfort, privacy and safety.