Islanders to benefit from new state-of-the-art CT scanner at PCH

Islanders can access the best in digital CT imaging with the installation of a new $750,000 CT scanner this month at Prince County Hospital.
 
“Good access to diagnostic services is a critical element in the delivery of high quality health care,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson. “This new state-of-the-art CT scanner will increase the quality of diagnosis and care by providing more precise images that are instantly available for technologists to view.”
 
In 2015-16, there were 5,317 Computerized Tomography (CT) procedures done at Prince County Hospital. CT is used to detect and diagnose vascular diseases, cancers, pulmonary embolisms, spinal problems, injuries and other conditions.
 
The new equipment provides technologists with a more detailed patient view during the imaging process. The three dimensional 160 slice scanner allows for more precise imaging and better patient diagnosis. It replaces a ten-year-old two dimensional scanner.
 
 “We are so pleased to see this piece of lifesaving technology here at PCH," said Gordon MacFarlane, volunteer board member with the Prince County Hospital Foundation. "It was such a large project for our Foundation and the donors who fund the medical equipment for this hospital. We are so thankful for their support and that of the Government of PEI who contributed half the cost."
 
 Since 2015, the provincial government has partnered with Island hospital foundations, investing nearly $1 million in diagnostic imaging technology, including new digital x-ray suites at Western Hospital, Community Hospital O’Leary and Souris Hospital. Planning is now well underway for the installation of a new $10 million linear accelerator at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre.
 
With the new technology, Prince County Hospital staff are able to carry out more procedures such as  intricate vascular scans which patients previously had to travel to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for.
 
“The new CT scanner represents the latest in digital imaging technology,” said Gailyne MacPherson, Provincial Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “Our staff will now be able to perform a wider array of high quality imaging exams previously unavailable at Prince County Hospital. Patients will also benefit from enhanced patient safety as a result of lower emissions of radiation delivered during the imaging process.”

Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
Health PEI
(902) 368-6135
ajhamel@gov.pe.ca