A new million dollar machine has been added to the Diagnostic Imaging Unit at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
On Wednesday, the hospital held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of a fluoroscopy machine.
“This is the first dual machine in Canada where it has both the fluoroscopy and the X-ray machine,” said Cynthia Stulp, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging at CKHA. “We can do both types of procedures and examinations in this room, which will allow for more efficiency, more types of patients to come through.”
The new tool cost the hospital roughly $1 million for both the equipment and the training of employees. The hospital has trained two ‘super’ trainees, who will be training 60 technologists.
The new imaging machine will help the hospital serve 20 per cent more people, according to Stulp.
“In a day, we're doing about 140 (patients). We hope to serve 200 people a day in X-ray,” Stulp added.
The new X-ray appliance is replacing a 22-year-old unit, and the alliance expressed its excitement for the new piece of equipment.
“This has been amazing. It moves so much easier, so the mechanics for us, it'll save our shoulders and stuff like that,” said Beth Nevills, Charge Technologist at CKHA. “The images are so much better, so clear. That's way better for the patient for a diagnosis of anything.”
The alliance has been fundraising for roughly a year for the equipment, using proceeds from Giving Tuesday 2024, the Igniting Healthcare Holiday 50/50, as well as a significant donation from Bill and Mary Dorssers.
The hospital has plans to add two new machines to its Diagnostic Imaging Unit in the New Year.
