New CT Scanner Improves Patient Outcomes, Experience

The renovated CT Scan Suite featuring a new, 128-slice CT Scanner is in full operation at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital (HDMH) Site.

Thanks to a generous $2 million funding commitment from the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, the new scanner was installed and a significant renovation was undertaken to create a safe and patient-friendly space that meets infection control and accessibility standards. 

Since the project was completed at the end of May, the new CT has already been used for nearly 500 CT scans. The Simcoe/Muskoka Acute Stroke Protocol relies heavily on the CT service at the Huntsville Hospital as it is the only designated District Stroke Centre between Barrie and North Bay.

Upgrading aging equipment helps us to better serve our community and provide a much-needed tool for improved diagnostics and patient outcomes, says Natalie Bubela, Chief Executive Officer at MAHC.

“When minutes count, it’s important to have access to reliable equipment. A CT Scanner is a critical piece of equipment to a community hospital. It is critical to speedy and accurate diagnoses and critical to MAHC’s designation as a District Stroke Centre,” says Bubela. “Thank you to our Foundation for seeing the importance of this life-saving technology and for helping to enhance our patients’ overall experience with our new CT Scanner. Your support of this hospital is appreciated more than words can say.”

Noreen Chan, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging and Cardio-Respiratory at MAHC, says the new CT Scanner brings several benefits to patient care including:

• a lower x-ray dose;
• reducing the length of time patients must hold their breath for some exams – from over 30 seconds to less than five seconds. A shorter exam time is critical for some patients.
• capturing a thinner “slice thickness”, which provides greater detail, accuracy and precision in the images;
• formatting full scans in 60 seconds or less with very little, if any, operator involvement;
• providing a dedicated workflow to better assist in emergency trauma CT exams;
• facilitating faster access to reports,better communication amongst physicians and quicker reporting times for our patients; and
• the ability to complete more non-invasive testing.

“The renovation has also enhanced the patients’ overall experience with the CT Scanner,” says Chan. “The new CT Suite is a more patient- and family-centered environment with comfortable waiting areas, change rooms and also a dedicated injection staging room. The remodelled CT Suite will positively impact patient care for years to come.”

Supporting the project was an easy decision for the Foundation, explains John Crockett, Chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

“The Foundation’s role to raise funds for the technology and capital assets needed to sustain and build the area’s health care system is taken very seriously,” says Crockett. “We strongly believe the generosity of both seasonal and year-round residents will help us meet our financial commitment in support of this state-of-the-art investment in health care, here for life.”

Crockett adds community support has been positive including major pledges from the Doug Woollings family and the Rotary Club of Huntsville.