Our Von Tempsky clinic in Hamilton East now has a brand new CT machine as part of a wider upgrade to facilities in the CT room.
Known as a Somatom Drive, the new scanner sourced from leading German manufacturer Siemens brings with it a wide range of improvements set to benefit local patients and referrers alike, including faster scanning time, shorter wait lists and new cardiac services. The clinic also has a brand new patient preparation area and waiting area for CT patients, meaning we can provide the very latest in high quality CT imaging, diagnostic and interventional procedures, locally.
CT stands for Computed Tomography and combines a series of x-ray images taken from different angles around the body, creating cross-sectional images known as ‘slices’. The scanner is an x-ray machine hooked up to a powerful computer, but unlike a standard x-ray, it is not limited to bones. It can also ‘see’ soft tissue, blood vessels and even air inside the body – all in rich detail. A CT scan can be used to visualise nearly all parts of the body, providing referring doctors with valuable insights into a patient’s health and wellbeing in a way that x-rays alone cannot.
Anna Ainsworth, Regional Manager for Pacific Radiology Waikato, is excited to announce the launch of the new CT scanner at the Von Tempsky clinic:
"We have invested in a cutting-edge scanner with more capabilities than our previous equipment, meaning the range of patients we can see is greater. Our wait times will be greatly reduced due to faster scan times, resulting in a shorter wait list for our patients. The new CT scanner aligns with our vision to provide world-class radiology services and exceptional patient care to the local community - and we are excited to offer new and improved services to these patients."
The new and improved CT machine provides extremely low-dose scans and highly accurate, high resolution images, alongside the ultimate in patient comfort. The machine is excellent scanning patients of any size, as it now has a 300kg weight limit and a wider scanner table, while a wider scanner bore also means we can see a wider range of patients including bariatric patients. The machine is also suitable for scanning paediatric patients.
This scanner also has a new cardiac capability, available for calcium score tests, cardiac angiography and pre-operative cardiac scans, meaning local patients will not have to travel further afield for cardiac services. Dual energy sources used in the scanner are effective for diagnosis of gout and renal stones. We can now provide improved orthopaedic scans, particularly useful if the patient has joint replacements or metal implants.
The new CT scanner is now in operation at the Von Tempsky clinic. Due to having the same scanner throughout our New Zealand clinics, we have access to highly-trained specialist radiologists to report our scans from anywhere and at any time. Other services available at clinic alongside CT scanning include a walk-in service for x-rays, ultrasound including pregnancy ultrasound, MRI and bone density scanning services.
Please phone 07 834 3530 to book your appointment today or visit our Von Tempsky clinic page.
