Hospital officials at the South Bruce Grey Health Centre site in Kincardine were excited to unveil a brand new piece of medical machinery on Monday.
A new CT scanner was delivered to the hospital from the Siemens production facility in Germany. In the coming weeks, the device, dubbed the "X.Cite”, will be installed and commissioned in the 2,000 square foot addition to the hospital, located south of the main entrance. The first patient is scheduled to be scanned on March 20.
"We are now on the home stretch of this very exciting project that will provide a much-needed service to the Kincardine community," said SBGHC President and CEO Michael Barrett. "Patients in Kincardine will no longer have to travel out of their community for CT service, ensuring that they can complete their required diagnostics in a timely manner."
Barrett said the arrival of X.Cite also represents the first step in the expansion of the Kincardine hospital, which will soon see an expanded emergency department, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, front entrance and loading area.
To start operating X.Cite, a number of SBGHC Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) have completed training at the Walkerton site. Staff will also undergo virtual training ahead of the first patient's appointment on March 20 and then complete hands-on training for eight weeks after the program implementation.
The hospital expects utilization of the scanner will gradually increase during this time as the ability to complete complex CT exams increases, along with the number of fully trained staff. The Walkerton CT department will continue to accept urgen requests to support the team in building expertise.
"The addition of a CT scanner to Kincardine hospital is very exciting for physicians, staff, and community members," said Dr. Jason Murray. “It will be so nice for our patients not to have to travel to Walkerton any longer to have these scans performed. The CT will allow us to provide safer and more efficient care in the emergency department and on the inpatient unit"
Funding for the project was provided by the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation and the Government of Ontario, as well as a $1-million contribution from Bruce Power.
The hospital is thanking community members and partners for their support in the project.
