News

Athol Memorial Hospital radiology Services Lisa Rodrigues, RTR (standing) demonstrates the new GE BrightSpeed CT Scanner using Radiology Tech Aide Vicky Russell as a volunteer “patient”.

Hospital Installs New Imaging Technology

Athol Memorial Hospital recently installed a new advanced Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner from GE Healthcare. The BrightSpeed Elite (16 slice) offers the latest in “multi-slice” technology along with clinical applications that will allow AMH to more quickly and accurately perform diagnostic exams. Another advantage is that the new scanner uses a lower level of radiation than was previously possible in this type of technology.

CT scanning is an imaging method using x-rays to create cross sectional pictures of any part of the body for evaluation of injury or abnormality. Typical procedures include, but are not limited to, stroke and trauma assessment, identifying masses or tumors, studying blood vessels, and examination of internal organs and structures. CT scans are painless and non-invasive.

“The new scanner has dramatically increased our in-patient and outpatient capability,” explained Gary Wheeler, RT, Athol Memorial Hospital’s Radiology Services Manager. “The new scans are very fast, which was advantageous during the power outage the area experienced a few weeks ago,” he continued, “We performed nearly fifty (50) scans that weekend, instead of our usual fifteen (15). Heywood Hospital was able to send their patients needing CT scans to us, as their unit was down, and our ER experienced increased activity due to weather related injuries. The new scanner was in place, up and running just in time.”

Athol Memorial Hospital is not-for-profit acute care and outpatient facility serving the communities of the North Quabbin region since 1950. It is designated as a Critical Access Hospital and Primary Stroke Center, licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and fully accredited by the Joint Commission.

January 7, 2009