New CT scanner now serving patients

Susan Dawkins of the Medical Imaging Department, with the new CT scanner.

It was eight years ago when the Powell River Hospital Foundation first funded a CT scanner for Powell River General Hospital.
Since then, thousands of patients have received this important diagnostic service within their community, instead of having to travel to the mainland or Vancouver Island.

A key component to this generous gift – the focus of a major community fund-raising campaign – was the requirement that the service be maintained, and the equipment upgraded, to ensure up-to-date, quality care for all.
This is exactly what happened recently, when Vancouver Coastal Health installed a new CT scanner in the Medical Imaging Department, replacing the original unit.
This new, state-of-the-art GE Evo CT scanner, funded by the Ministry of Health, is safer, provides more vivid 3D imagery, and is more reliable. It will ensure ongoing access to quality medical imaging services in the community, with approximately 3,700 patients scanned annually.
Dave Harper, who led the original fundraising campaign here in Powell River, likes what he sees:
“All those who gave to the CT Scan campaign so many years ago can take pride in seeing their donations still working for us in this new scanner, still providing timely and often life-saving diagnoses.
“I still remember the day – shortly after the old scanner came into service – when a man came to my car window to thank the Foundation for bringing it to Powell River. His wife had required emergency medical attention, and the scanner’s quick diagnosis helped save her life. It was a very emotional moment.”
The new scanner will continue to help save lives. It pro-vides detailed images of bone, soft tissue and blood vessels. It’s essential to timely, quality care, especially in emergency situations such as strokes, where a fast, accurate diagnosis can make a significant difference to the outcome.
The Powell River Hospital Foundation is pleased to see this important service continue, now with capital funding from the Ministry and operating costs covered by Vancouver Coastal Health.

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