Radiology Department Expands

Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) showing an abdomen.

Grace Cottage’s Radiology Department is expanding exponentially, with the addition of a digital X-ray, a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS), a Radiology Information System (RIS) and a CR (computerized radiography and digitizing system). What does all of this mean for the patient? The answer is much faster, more accurate and detailed images of what’s going in inside the body. Digital images can be enhanced for greater clarity, enabling doctors and radiologists to diagnose based on the best possible information. All digital images, whether generated by the CT scan, X-ray, bone densitometer or ultrasound, can be sent electronically and read quickly by a radiologist at Windham Radiology (or their designee) or Dartmouth Hitchcock, or anywhere else that an emergency situation might require. Instead of having to lug heavy films around, patients will be given a CD of the image that has been taken to a specialist (if requested).

The digital system was made possible by a donation from Barbara Levinson and the Morris Levinson Foundation, in memory of Brian Evans and John Kenneth Galbraith.

CT Scanner Arrives!

Monday, October 1st, was a Banner Day in the history of Grace Cottage, when a
Toshiba Asteion Quad Slice CT Scanner was delivered to Grace Cottage Hospital.

“The CT Scanner represents a giant step in terms of patient care here,” said Shana Jones, CEO. “This diagnostic tool is considered basic in most hospitals. Now our doctors can quickly, efficiently, and painlessly determine what’s going on inside a patient’s body, without sending them on to another hospital. Within three minutes, a full body scan can be completed.”

The CT (Computed Tomography) Scanner, which has been in use at Yuma District Hospital in Colorado (Jones was the CEO there and purchased it new three years ago!), was acquired with the help of a bequest from Helen Durant, a longtime Grace Cottage supporter. The installation was not simple - the Special Procedures Room across from the Radiology Department was reconfigured with lead walls, a cement floor, and a specially-poured resin base.

The new CT equipment will provide three-dimensional cross-sectional images of soft tissue, body organs, and blood vessels. In emergency cases, internal injuries and bleeding can be detected quickly. CT scans are also often used to detect cancer, cardiovascular disease, infection, and musculoskeletal disorders.

It’s anticipated that the CT Scanner will be in full operation at Grace Cottage by early November.

Ultrasound Acquired

Thanks to gifts received in memory of Don Kissel of Grafton, Grace Cottage has purchased a digital ultrasound. This equipment will allow medical practitioners to use high-frequency sound waves to obtain images from inside the body. Ultrasound images can show the structure and movement of internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. A complete set of transducers (probes or wands) will enable our radiologic technologist to perform a variety of procedures to assist in diagnosis.