Lister Hospital in Stevenage has taken delivery of a new SOMATOM Definition Flash and Definition AS+ to improve multi-modality clinical image reporting.
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust is using the Definition AS+ in place of a previous-generation system for a wide range of procedures including cardiac, angiography and brain angiography. Both systems will also be used for lung biopsies, renal work and stroke services.
The hospital has also taken installation of an Artis zee floor-mounted system for angiography and fluoroscopy examinations.
The CT systems include Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction for low-dose imaging and are also equipped with two adaptive dose shields. They offer enhanced image quality quality with a temporal resolution of up to 150ms (AS+) and 75ms (Flash), combined with fast coverage.
The large 78cm bore and table capacity of up to 230kg make examinations easier with the hospital now able to examine patients head first. The hospital is also making use of advanced visualisation software, syngo.via, which is helping improve workflow and promote ease of use.
“With an increase in demand for CT services, we needed high-end imaging systems that would effectively futureproof the department,” said Dr William Topping, consultant radiologist. “Since NICE’s guidance on new generation CT systems, for instance, the Definition Flash and Definition AS+ have helped us accommodate a rise in cardiac examinations from 200 to 650. Having two systems promoting ease of use and excellent image quality has also been especially useful for examining patients quickly in trauma or for stroke services.”
