BRMC Gets New CT Scanner

By George Nianiatus, senior writer/media manager
Marketing and Communications Department
Upper Allegheny Health System

Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) has just installed a new 32-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner which provides more detailed images in less time with a lower radiation dose.

This week BRMC’s Diagnostic Imaging Services started performing CT scans with its Lightspeed VCT Select from GE Healthcare, said hospital officials.

BRMC obtained the Lightspeed VCT Select for three key reasons.

“The new CT unit provides better reliability and image quality,” said Tim Brown, BRMC’s Director of Clinical Ancillary Services.

Secondly, “It also has the ability of scanning a larger area with a single rotation, cutting down on time and, more importantly, radiation dose,” he said. “This CT scanner has dose-limiting and control software called Opidose, which reduces radiation to the patient. This enables us to perform better peripheral vascular angiography procedures.”

Lastly, “The resolution on this CT scanner far exceeds our previous unit and is able to provide far thinner image slices, giving us more information to review,” Mr. Brown said.

A CT scanner uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. During the test, the patient will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body area being studied.

Each rotation of the scanner takes less than a second and provides a picture of a slice of the organ or area. All of the pictures are then saved as a group on a computer for patient diagnosis.

“We are delighted that the new 32-slice CT will enable BRMC to provide outstanding diagnostic care to our patients right here in Bradford,” said David Kobis, BRMC’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

“Patients don’t have to leave our community to get state-of-the-art, best practice care. For example, in trauma situations, where time is critical, this CT can perform a head-to-toe scan in 12 seconds or less,” Mr. Kobis said.

“Speed is especially critical when imaging pediatric patients who are stressed, afraid or unable to understand instructions,” said Mr. Brown.

“The CT scanner’s new design even allows us to provide care to our larger population with a table weight of 500 pounds,” he noted.

This diagnostic equipment upgrade is the second for BRMC within several weeks. BRMC added a new, full-field digital mammography unit in Diagnostic Imaging Services and a completely renovated suite.

“We’re making these diagnostic upgrades so we can continue to meet the healthcare needs for the Bradford region,” Mr. Kobis said.

BRMC has been serving Bradford and surrounding communities since 1887. It is a 109-bed, acute-care hospital with four Centers of Excellence: The Heart Center; The Cancer Care Center; Surgical Services; and Bradford Recovery Systems. It also has an adjacent 95-bed nursing home, The Pavilion at BRMC, which offers long-term care to residents and also restorative care to post-surgical patients. More information about BRMC is available online at www.brmc.com.


Pictured, Jason Tingley, RT, R, CT, lead computed tomography (CT) technologist at Bradford Regional Medical Center, is shown with the new 32-slice CT the hospital has obtained for better diagnostic image quality
Photo courtesy of BRMC