New CT scanner offers detailed look inside the body

Aging equipment replaced with state-of-the-art diagnostic tool

WETASKIWIN – Patients at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre continue to have local access to an important diagnostic tool following the recent installation of a new computed tomography scanner – more commonly known as a CT scanner.

Installed last month, the new CT scanner replaces aging equipment in the hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging department, which completes about 4,500 CT scans per year.

“There are a lot of uses for CT scanners, including in emergency situations, as well as in providing followup care,” says Brenda Zilkie, site lead at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.

“It is a very important diagnostic tool for our physicians to have. Having this new equipment is a great benefit to those we care for.”

The new CT scanner is capable of taking pictures much faster — 64 slices (images) per rotation around the patient compared to 16 for the machine it replaced, which means less discomfort and a faster procedure for patients.

“The technology allows our technologists and physicians to view sharper, crisper images while increasing patient comfort. Patients don’t have to lay in the machine for as long, which can be uncomfortable and stressful for some,” says Lesley Angeltvedt, supervisor of Diagnostic Imaging at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.

The new scanner also administers a lower dose of radiation.

Local resident Danny Gavan was the first to contribute to the foundation’s fundraising efforts to bring the new CT scanner to the hospital. Gavan, a long-time volunteer and former member of the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation board, is grateful he had local access to CT scanning technology after having a stroke two years ago.

“I didn’t have to go out of town for the diagnosis,” he says. “They were able to see the blood clot on my brain using the CT scanner right here at the hospital. Not having to travel to find out what was wrong meant I didn’t have to deal with extra stress or trauma. Not only is it beneficial for patients like me, but it helps keep the hospital up-to-date and helps attract other health professionals to our community.”

The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation began raising the $1.2 million to purchase and install the new CT scanner in March 2015. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the foundation reached its goal sooner than expected.

“On behalf of the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation, I would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to all of the donors for their amazing generosity towards the CT scanner campaign,” says Foundation Chair Branin McLeod.

“The residents and businesses of Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas have been faithful to the Health Foundation to help us realize this goal. I believe this steadfast support is a reflection of this community’s values of hard work, loyalty and commitment.”

The Foundation is celebrating 30 years of fundraising this year and, through the community's support and generosity, has disbursed approximately $7.9 million to health care in the community since its formation.

“We are very grateful for the support we receive from the foundation and the community,” says Zilkie.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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