SAH approves purchase of new CT Scanner

SAH conducts approximately 20,000 CT scans annually and this piece of equipment is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days per week

Supplied photo

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL

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The Sault Area Hospital (SAH) Board of Directors has recently approved the purchase of a new replacement CT Scanner at a total cost of $2.2 million. Delivery and installation is expected in October 2017.

A CT Scanner is a vital piece of equipment used to diagnose a number of medical conditions. It can help diagnose muscle and bone disorders, such as bone tumours and fractures, and pinpoint the location of a tumour, infection or blood clot.

It can also detect and monitor diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung nodules and liver masses, monitor the effectiveness of certain treatments, such as cancer treatment and detect internal injuries and bleeding.

SAH conducts approximately 20,000 CT scans annually and this piece of equipment is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days per week. “At some point in our lives, most of us will require a CT scan and all patients deserve the very best diagnostic tools for accurate and timely diagnoses and treatments,” says Ron Gagnon, president and CEO.

The lifespan of diagnostic equipment such as CT Scanners and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is approximately 10 years. “A new CT Scanner will ensure that SAH maintains the highest standard of health care, minimizes the possibility of equipment failure and remains abreast of new and rapidly changing technology,” says Gagnon.

The new Philips Ingenuity Elite will provide a quicker scan with improved image quality while using lower doses of radiation. Advanced software upgrades will include access to procedures such as virtual colonography and cardiac imaging.

Fundraising efforts since 2015 have included proceeds from car draws, a $200,000 pledge from the SAH Volunteer Association (pledge to be fulfilled this year), and countless donations from our community.

“I wish to express my gratitude to our generous community and my heartfelt thanks to the Volunteer Association and Foundation for their hard work in making the purchase of this new piece of equipment, a reality,” says Gagnon.

For more information about SAH, visit www.sah.on.ca.

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