The Sunrise Health Region is getting ready for a major upgrade to CT scanning in the region, with a new machine expected to arrive within the next month. However, to install the new machine, the old one needs to be removed, and the hospital needs to see some major upgrades to accommodate the new machine. This means a service interruption, which will begin March 7, before scanning begins with a reduced load on April 5.
Roberta Wiwcharuk, Vice President of Integrated Health Services, explains that the disruptions are due to the upgrades needed to the hospital in order to install the new machine, which requires upgrades to both the cooling system and electrical system.
“It’s not like taking out a photocopier and putting a new one. It’s taking out the old one, bringing in the new one... It’s a big undertaking, that’s why it needed to be coordinated, so we know when the new one is coming in, so we can prepare to take out the old, get the electrical and cooling system ready and in place, and get the new one to make a smooth transition.”
This time will also allow the region to conduct training on the new machine and testing to ensure it functions properly, Wiwcharuk adds.
There are approximately 5,000 CT scans performed in the region each year, which would mean approximately 400 would be performed in an average month. This March, patients will be referred to Regina or Saskatoon if CT scans are necessary. Protocols will be in place with EMS, dispatch, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Saskatoon Health Region, neurologists and stroke clinic clients for the four weeks the hospital is undergoing upgrades.
Wiwcharuk says that while an inconvenience, the service disruption is going to lead to a major upgrade in CT services in the region. The ultimate result will be a major benefit to the region, as current scanner has exceeded its expected lifespan and the major technology advances have been made since its manufacture.
“While there will be a service disruption for those four weeks, we’re certainly looking forward to the advancements with the new technology. It’ll be down, but ultimately we will have a new, improved CT scanner which will have better technology and better images.”
She also notes that having a CT scan upgrade wouldn’t be possible without community support.
“We really want to thank the Health Foundation and the Ministry of Health for the funding, and all of the generous donations to the new CT scanner.”
