OVMC and EORH Introduce New CT Scanner. 64-Slice CT is First in the Ohio Valle
01/22/07

Contact: Howard Gamble, MPH
Title: Marketing & Public Relations
Phone: (304)234-8135

Ohio Valley Medical Center & East Ohio Regional Hospital has unveiled their newest weapons in the early detection of disease/illness with the introduction of two new revolutionary LightSpeed Volume Computed Tomography 64-Slice Scanners.
"We are thrilled to be able to make this investment for our patients and physicians," said Brian K. Felici, President and CEO of OVMC and EORH. "This is an investment in the future of our hospital system."

The new CT Scanners, also called CAT Scans, improve diagnosis and treatment by creating 64 high-resolution anatomical images of the patient in a single rotation. This reflects a significantly higher number of images than what traditional CT scanners can provide, thus giving the physician a higher, more precise number of images to study.

"The 64-slice CT gives us an opportunity to see more and see it better," said Vicki Novick, Director of Radiology Services at EORH and OVMC. "It allows us to serve our friends and neighbors in the Ohio Valley more effectively and efficiently."

"We are the only hospital in the area to offer this state-of-the-art technology," Novick said. "We’re very proud to be the first to provide it."

The innovative design and quick-scanning provides sophisticated cross-section images of the body with more detail and speed than traditional CT scanners. Because it works so quickly, it improves patient comfort, helps to eliminate the ‘closed in’ feeling often associated with CAT scans, and reduces the x-ray dose to the patient.

"The primary goal is always to provide the very latest in technology to the patient," Novick remarked. "Secondly, we strive to assure patient comfort as much as possible. These machines allow us to do both."

Additionally, the CT scanners, located in the Radiology Departments at both OVMC and EORH, will complement the PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System), which is already being used at both facilities. PACS places all scans directly into a secure database on a computer server and allows physicians instant access to all images. This translates to faster, more efficient diagnostic information.

"The PACS allows our physicians to obtain the information that they need more quickly and efficiently than ever before," Novick explained. "Together, the new CT scanners and the PACS place us at the forefront of fast, effective care for our patients."

"We’re breaking barriers in terms of speed and accuracy when it comes to CAT scans and what they can do for us," commented Mark Kenamond, M.D., Radiologist at OVMC and EORH. "Over the past couple of years, CT scanning technology has made incredible strides as a diagnostic tool."

While current generation CT scanners are effective for many applications, the new devices produce precise diagnostic pictures within five to 10 seconds, enabling the technician to ‘freeze’ motion and better define certain disease processes. Features include the production of images much faster than traditional 4-slice and 16-slice scanners, improved fine-detail resolution and improved post-processing for treatment planning.

"Are current 4 and 16-slice CT scanners effective tools for diagnosing disease and illness? Certainly," Novick commented. "Are the 64-slice scanners more efficient and more effective? Absolutely."

The new systems are up and running at both OVMC and EORH.

Ohio Valley Medical Center, located in Wheeling West Virginia, and East Ohio Regional Hospital, located in Martins Ferry Ohio, is a 340 bed combined organization providing quality primary and tertiary healthcare to the Ohio Valley. Ohio Valley Health Services and Education Corporation is the integrated health care delivery system comprising of the two hospitals, River Health Enterprises and Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley.