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More Advanced Technology at CopleyContact: Peter Wright, 888-830101/30/2006
For Immediate Release
Morrisville, VT… Although most people in the community may not know it, Copley has a lot of advanced technology for a small community hospital. That commitment just got bigger. Hospital officials announced today that they have added a state-of-the-art multi-slice CT scanner to their facility. The new Brilliance CT scanner features advanced technology that produces split-second high quality images and details almost instantly. With this new CT scanner, Copley physicians can detect and treat a range of life threatening illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and lung disease. The unmatched speed and detail will also contribute to more rapid assessment and decision making in trauma cases, where physicians may have to make life and death decisions within minutes. “The ability to discover disease in an early stage means patients can be offered the widest range of effective treatment options,” stated Radiologist, Hartley Neel, MD.
CT, which stands for Computed Tomography (sometimes referred to as a CAT scan) is a fast, painless diagnostic tool doctors can use to see inside the body. Physicians use the information they get from a CT scan to rule out or confirm the presence of certain abnormalities or diseases.
If doctors do see something on your scan, that information can be extremely vital in determining the proper treatment options.
According to Neel, “We can use the extensive image information we get from the scanner to generate detailed 3D images which can be used for diagnosis and also shared very quickly with referring physicians and surgeons, where needed, for pre-surgical planning and for treatment evaluation and follow up.”
Patients needing a CT scan will find that Copley’s new scanner offers a much more pleasant experience. With much faster scan times patients will usually be asked to carry out one brief breath holding during each scan. Another advantage the hospital anticipates is the ability to provide larger patients with the CT scan option as the equipment has a table weight capacity of up to 440 pounds.
All CT scanners use X-rays, however the new Brilliance scanner uses a significantly lower amount of X-ray energy than many of the other CT systems on the market. While we need the critical anatomical information we get from a CT scan, we always want to limit the X-ray dose to the patient to the absolute minimal possible, especially for children. “The scanner features unique technology that ensures we get exceptional images with significantly lower dose to the patient. And, it has specific built-in pediatric protocols that further minimize the dose to children,” continued Neel.
During the test, the patient is placed on a table and moved incrementally through the squared off donut-shaped scanner while an X-ray beam is projected through cross sections of their anatomy. The X-ray energy passes through the patient and is recorded on electronic detectors in the scanner. This information is then sent to a specialized computer that reconstructs the information into individual slices and combines them sequentially into a comprehensive volume image of the entire area scanned. The thinner the slices, the more revealing the detail is in the resulting images and the more definitive the exam results. Performing the tests are Copley Radiology technologists, some of whom went to Cleveland, Ohio to receive specialized training.
With exceptional speed and outstanding image quality, I ask why not Copley for your CT scan? “In addition to high quality compassionate care, Copley is committed to providing technologically advanced services to keep our community well,” commented President and CEO, Warren West.
Over the past several years advanced technology is what Copley Radiology Department is all about. The new CT scan joins digital mammography, vascular study equipment and DXA Bone Densitometry.
Contact Information
Peter Wright
Director Planning & Marketing
Copley Health Systems
802-888-8301
pwright@chsi.org
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