SASKATOON — Patients at Saskatoon City Hospital will continue to have access to CT imaging services during the replacement of the hospital's CT scanner through the use of a temporary mobile imaging unit, reports the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The mobile unit will be installed July 28 in the visitor parking lot northwest of the hospital and is expected to begin serving patients in mid-August. It will provide CT imaging services while the hospital's existing scanner is removed and a new Siemens SOMATOM Force CT scanner is installed.
There is no planned interruption to CT imaging services during the replacement project. The temporary unit will ensure patients continue to receive timely diagnostic imaging while work is underway to install the new scanner, the SHA says.
The replacement project is being made possible through a $2.9 million allocation by Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation and its donor community. Once operational, the new Siemens SOMATOM Force CT scanner will provide faster, high-quality imaging, enhance imaging capabilities, strengthen diagnostic capacity and support timely access to care for patients in Saskatoon and surrounding communities, says the SHA.
"Maintaining uninterrupted access to diagnostic imaging services for patients is our priority throughout this project," said Kevin Hare, vice-president, Provincial Clinical and Support Services with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
"The temporary mobile CT unit will allow us to provide essential CT services while we install advanced imaging technology that will support timely diagnosis and treatment for years to come."
The Siemens SOMATOM Force CT scanner will replace existing equipment at Saskatoon City Hospital and provide advanced imaging technology to support the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of a wide range of health conditions.
The mobile unit is expected to remain on site for approximately five months. Once installation, testing and commissioning of the new scanner are complete, the mobile unit will be removed from site and returned for use at another location.
“The arrival of the mobile CT unit marks an important milestone in bringing new CT technology to Saskatoon City Hospital,” said Steve Shannon, CEO of Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. “This is the first step in a significant investment in diagnostic imaging for our community. We are deeply grateful to the Dubé family for their transformational $1 million gift, and to every donor who helped us reach our goal in just 10 months. Together, their generosity is making this important investment in patient care possible.”
