New CT scan machine at SLMC to improve imaging, detection
ST. LUKE’S Medical Center is looking to detect illnesses faster and easier following its acquisition of the Somatom Force DualSource Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (CT) machine.
Officially operational last November 2018, the 1152-slice CT scanner from Germany-based medical technology company Siemens Healthineers has imaging technologies which allow for larger and clearer images of the different parts of the body.
It can take more than 1,000 images in 10 to 15 minutes depending on the patient’s case, which is a big time difference from the older models that take at least one hour before one patient is done. In effect, in just an hour, three to four patients can be accommodated, lessening the waiting time that admitted patients and outpatients experience because of the old models.
The machine is currently available at SLMC Quezon City.
“Ang paggagamot ng tao ngayon, siyempre ang pag-evaluate mo, ano ‘yung outcome (When you treat a person today, of course you evaluate the outcome). Gumaling ka ba pero (Were you treated, but), during your treatment dapat ‘yung experience mo (your experience should be) also pleasant... Kung na-discomfort pa siya (If he felt discomfort), disservice ‘yun sa pasyente (that is a disservice to the patient),” Arturo S. De la Peña, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s, said in an interview with BusinessWorld on Feb. 18.
“As of now...ang (the) backlog doon sa (in) scheduling ng (in the) old machine is about one month. Naghihintay ka ng isang buwan...bago ka ma-schedule (You have to wait one month before you are scheduled for the procedure),” he noted.
Mr. De La Peña said the new technology is beneficial for children and patients with critical conditions.
“It is so fast that bago makahinga ‘yung pasyente, tapos na ‘yung
procedure (even before the patient can breathe, the procedure is already done),” he said, adding that there is no need to sedate the patient for the scan, reducing the use of contrast material for kidney-friendly exams.
Although the faster scan technology comes at an additional cost, Mr. De La Peña said its comfort and convenience makes it a better option.
“An additional one to two thousand per examination will be the added value. If you try to look at the impact of it and the benefits from it...a lot of people might be willing to pay the difference... at saka ‘yung waiting time nila
(and their waiting time)...kung nakahiga ka diyan ng (if you have lie down for) 30 minutes na hindi ka gumagalaw (without moving), may (there is) discomfort, and a lot of people might be willing to pay additional amount... That’s the value for money we are talking about,” he said.
Mr. De La Peña said the group is also planning to put the same scanner in SLMC Global City and, potentially, also in its future site in Davao City. —