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New and more advanced diagnostic imaging
equipment means more accurate diagnosis, which ultimately means
more effective and timely treatment. It also means reducing wait
times, a concern throughout the medical system. Much of the diagnostic
imaging equipment was brought over from the old Highland View Regional
Hospital, and is reaching the end of its lifespan. While the current
Routine Ultrasound unit is an excellent piece of equipment it cannot
meet current demand. The wait time for an ultrasound appointment
is approximately 5 to 6 weeks. Two technologists are running one
machine and it is increasingly difficult to accommodate the case
load during a shift.
Two units are required.
Echocardiography is integral to the accurate diagnosis, management,
and prognosis for various cardiac conditions, but it requires regular
updating of equipment. The echo ultrasound unit is five years old
and is reaching the end of its expected life span. The image on
the unit is degrading, as are the probes and other parts. Unfortunately,
the unit is not upgradeable. With a new Echo Ultrasound, we will
have up-to-date capability. Annually over 1000 Echocardiography
exams are performed at CRHCC, which allows residents to be treated
right here in their own community versus traveling outside Cumberland
County to Moncton, Truro or beyond. We want to ensure the continued
availability of this important diagnostic tool in our community.
New Echocardiogram Machine
“Growing Care Campaign”
With support from the Department of Health and the Cumberland Health Care Foundation’s “Growing Care Campaign”, a new Echocardiogram machine was provided to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in 2007.
For Dr. Scott Bowen, internist and the cardiac patients at the regional acute care centre, donations to the “Growing Care Campaign” have made a difference. “Medical equipment is continually adapting and improving,” said Bowen, “we were in a situation where the older model was reaching the end of its life span. It needed to be replaced and updated. The new model has more advanced capabilities, the pictures are improved and is much more user friendly.”
An echocardiogram machine is integral to the diagnosis, management, and prognosis for various heart conditions. It utilizes ultrasound to create an image of the patient’s heart by "bouncing" sound waves off tissues. The technology uses "real time" ultrasound, meaning that you see the picture on a screen as it is obtained. These images can also be recorded digitally, on videotape, or in still photos.
The cost of the Echocardiogram machine was $350,000 with the Province funding $270,000 and the Cumberland Health Care Foundation providing the remaining $80,000 as part of its Growing Care campaign. In the last year the Cumberland Health Authority reported that 1254 echo cardiograms were completed at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.
“Having a modern echocardiogram is essential to the practice of community cardiology”, stated Bowen, “without people supporting the Growing Care Campaign, we would not have this important piece of equipment locally to help patients suffering from heart disorders. On behalf of the patients and their families, we can’t thank those people, corporations, and community groups enough for caring.”
Insert picture - Echo Machine - Shown Dr. Scott Bowen, internist and cardio sonographer Kaye Gillies view new Echomachine as patient Randy Smith watches.
GROWING CARE…
The need for a new ultrasound machine…
Where we’re at…
In the Spring of 2006, the Cumberland Health Care Foundation launched it’s “Growing Care” campaign to raise approximately $2.5 million for improvements and replacement of needed equipment at the regional acute care centre for Cumberland County—the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre
Our goal was to do the following:
Support the construction and medical equipment outfitting of a third operating room (completed June 2006)
Replacement of the Echocardiogram machine (completed 2006)
Upgrading to flat panel technology for the current X-ray machine (still to be completed)
Purchase a new routine Ultra Sound machine (still to be completed)
As of September 30, 2007—the Cumberland Health Care Foundation and it’s Growing Care volunteers have raised $2.25 million towards these goals to directly benefit healthcare for Cumberland County residents and those seeking medical assistance at this regional acute care centre.
At this current time, the Foundation is asking for your help in raising the final $250,000 which will be used to purchase a new Ultrasound machine.
THE ULTRASOUND:
An ultrasound machine is a medical imaging machine which uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes to visualize internal organs, their size, structure, and any pathological lesions with real time
tomographic images. They are used widely to visualize an unborn baby as part of prenatal care.
Obstetric ultrasound can be used to identify many conditions that would be harmful to the mother and the baby. In 2006-07, there were 247 babies delivered at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and over 29,000 diagnostic imaging tests completed.
A new ultrasound machine will also benefit patients undergoing investigation for abdominal and breast cancer, examinations of extremities for blood clots, and thyroid conditions. The improved technology will also enable the ability to spot cancers earlier. One of the expected benefits is the ability to reduce current wait times as the process would be able to be done more quickly and efficiently.
Doesn’t the hospital already have an Ultrasound?
The Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre does have an existing unit. Unfortunately it is not meeting the demand for service within expected processing times. Due to the current older model type, it can only be utilized at 40% of operational time- not at a maximum rate of efficiency. Currently wait times are in the average of 3-4 months. If the machine were to stop working, patients may have to be referred to outside of Cumberland for procedures which may further increase wait times.
How can you help?
If you haven’t yet made a donation to Growing Care consider it as a part of your New Year’s resolution – complete a pledge card (available on line at www.chcfoundation.com) – or visit the Foundation office at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. The Foundation would also be happy to fax or mail you a pledge card – simply call 902-667-5400 extension 6210. |
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