Southcoast Updates Its Image

Southcoast Hospitals has purchased new computed tomography (CT) scanners that provide doctors with more detailed images that can help diagnose a variety of conditions more quickly and with greater accuracy.

The state-of-the-art, 64-slice scanners are the first of their kind in the region and provide extremely clear pictures of the organs and blood vessels.

A CT scan is a noninvasive test. During the procedure, the patient lies on a table and moves through the scanner while an X-ray beam is projected through cross-sections of the body. With these very thin “slices,” a special computer constructs three-dimensional images of the highest quality. The CT scans are obtained and evaluated under the guidance of Southcoast’s highly trained technologists and radiologists.

Additional benefits of the 64-slice scanner over other CT units include:

• Exams are much quicker because the new machines take their pictures in just seconds.
• The new scanners at Southcoast use much less X-ray energy than many other CT systems.
• The new machines can accommodate larger patients

Southcoast also has made other changes to improve its imaging environment. To help make patients more relaxed and comfortable, they have installed softer lighting and replaced ceiling panels with calming pictures of blue sky and clouds.