The Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation was showing off a new and valuable piece of equipment Thursday afternoon.
It is a digital fluoroscopy unit, a new addition to the Battlefords Union Hospital medical imaging department that was purchased through funds raised by the foundation.
BUH Foundation contributed nearly $300,000 to the purchase of the equipment. It replaces a previous unit that had been in place for over a decade and had reached the end of its useful life.
The proceeds were raised from the special events put on by the foundation including the monthly lottery, Ladies’ Night, Festival of Trees, the Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament and the $100,000 Cash Lottery.
On hand for the official opening at the hospital were representatives from Battlefords Union Hospital, the BUH Foundation and Prairie North Health Region. Guests were taken through to see a demonstration of the new unit in action.
Colais Fransoo, BUH’s medical imaging working supervisor, demonstrated some examples of what will happen when a patient is brought in to use the equipment. Previously, a stationary table was used, but now they have a table that rotates. It cuts down on the twisting and turning of patients for the imaging exam.
“Everything in here is brand new. It feels new, it’s created a lot of energy in our department and we’re very excited to learn the intricacies of it,” said Fransoo.
The unit provides the highest-quality image possible, and is equipped with a c-arm that can be rotated so the exams can be performed in the best way possible so a diagnosis can be arrived at. There is also less radiation associated with the new unit.
“It’s been a long time in the making,” said David Fan, CEO of Prairie North Health Region, who called the new unit an “excellent example” of why the BUH Foundation, and support from the public, is needed.
Without the foundation’s help, “it would be almost impossible for us, on the part of the region, to try to do the kind of things accomplished in this community,” Fan said.
He also said the foundation is looking towards other major projects, including a new medication dispensing system as well as replacing the 10-year-old CT machine.
