DANVILLE, VA., March 12, 2008 - Danville Regional Medical Center announces that patients can now experience the benefits of a new, faster, and more efficient diagnostic system with the recent acquisition of a CT imaging system.
The LightSpeed 64-slice VCT scanner is a new, non-invasive imaging system that can scan the body, from the jugular notch all the way to the pubic bone, in less than 20 seconds. The new equipment has been in operation since late January 2008.
As one of the fastest CT scanners available, the LightSpeed simultaneously delivers wide anatomical coverage and high resolution images to better diagnose and pinpoint heart attacks, strokes and other problems in seconds. In a single rotation, the LightSpeed creates 64 high-resolution anatomical images, each as thin as a credit card. These images are combined to form a three-dimensional view of the patient’s anatomy.
“Previously we operated with the 2-slice scanner than scanned the body in two slices per tube rotation,” explained Ernest Chavez, Director of Imaging and Therapeutic Services. “However, with this new equipment, we can now examine the body in 64 slices per tube rotation, which is an amazing improvement.”
The most important feature of the scanner is its peed. This is what patients benefit from the most.
DRMC Radiologist Dr. Christopher Belk said, “The standard of care we can now provide for our patients has drastically increased. Patients experience much less discomfort and stress, because they are only required to stay still and hold their breath for five seconds.”
The LightSpeed VCT scanner is located in the Radiology Department next to the Emergency Department. Currently, DRMC and Martinsville are the only hospitals in the region that have the 64-slice scanner.
The LightSpeed VCT scanner is just one of the new additions DRMC has made to their expansion efforts in cancer care. The investment continues the hospital’s commitment to providing healthcare excellence close to home. Since last year, Danville Regional Medical Center has invested more than $25 million in hospital improvements.
