CT scanner funding completion an important goal for Foundation
The Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation continues to draw closer to completing funding for the $1.6 million Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, which is now in use at Cypress Regional Hospital.
Last week’s 5th Annual Your Family’s Health Radiothon raised $143,544 in support to finish financing for the state-of-the-art medical imaging equipment. The equipment, in use since June, has already been utilized to produce over 800 scans and is a major benefit to both patients and physicians.
“This new, state-of-the-art equipment was deemed to be very high on the Region’s list of priorities for 2013, and the Foundation’s board of directors thought it was worthy of supporting, so we’ve been working towards that goal all year,” said Clay Thompson, executive director of Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Health care Foundation. He said a series of public tours on Friday morning were important in allowing to see the benefits of the equipment, plus to thank the Estate of the late Roy Blanchard for the $1.2 million contribution which made the project a reality.
“The entire cost of the CT scanner was about $1.6 million. For us at the Foundation we might have been able to do it in two, but it would have been a hard two years. Having Mr. Blanchard come forward with the gift that he left allowed us to do it all in one year,” Thompson said shortly following a tour during the Radiothon.
Dr. Ali Sabri, one of two radiologists in charge of the CT unit, pointed out some of the benefits of the machine.
“It can image the entire body within a few seconds, which is very important, especially in trauma cases, ill patients and children.”
“It delivers a better image quality, and the most important advantage in my opinion, it has the great benefit of radiation dose reduction in all patients, especially in paediatric with more sensitive tissue, and cancer patients - in our aging population who need follow-up studies several times in short periods.”
Dr. Sabri added that the quality of the images can also help reduce the need for before and after contrast images in selected cases.
“It not only reduces patients travelling out of the region for diagnostic purposes, but will provide state-of-theart care for residents of Cypress Health Region. It has brought job satisfaction and staff retention to our department, and a better comprehensive support for our physicians.”
Cypress Health Region CEO Beth Vachon express her appreciation to all donors for their support to the Foundation during the Radiothon, saying, “Our needs are many and our resources are limited, so every gift that people donate does truly make a difference.”
Thompson also saluted the generosity of the donors.
“Every little bit helps ... be it $10 or $100, every gift ... makes a difference. We just appreciate everybody’s willingness to participate in our project and goal to improve healthcare.”