RRMC cuts ribbon for new scanner

The Diagnostic Imagining team at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) recently celebrated the installation of a second computed tomography (CT) scanner with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new machine, according to a news release, June 13. 

The state-of-the-art CT scanner is a Revolution Ascend model manufactured by GE Healthcare. This new CT Scanner doubles the diagnostic imaging department’s ability to accommodate patients whether they be inpatient, outpatient, or coming through the emergency department.

“The second scanner enhances patient access,” said Tashina Scognamillo, lead CT technologist at RRMC. “Now that we are able to share CT scanning between two machines, we are able to see more patients in a timelier manner which is beneficial for patients as well as for the staff.”

A CT scanner is used to view detailed images of any parts of the body using a rotating x-ray source. The digital images are then transmitted to a computer that then constructs very detailed two-dimensional image slices of the body. These images are then reconstructed to create a 3D image of the patient showing the skeleton, organs, and tissues of the body, which can then be reviewed by the radiologist to identify any abnormalities.

The addition of the second scanner was necessary due to the increase in the volume of patients needing CT scans.

“Everyone on the team has been very much looking forward to going live with this machine and we are already seeing the benefits both for our patients and for the department,” said Shari Patch, director diagnostic imaging at RRMC.

The installation, which had been planned for over two years, was completed with the help of the hospital’s facilities team and professionals from GE Healthcare, H.P. Cummings Construction, and Lavallee Brensinger Architects.

For more information, visit: rrmc.org/services/diagnostic-imaging.