SLVH RMC Upgrades CT Machine

Before and After

Alamosa, Colorado.

The new CAT scan machine at the SLV Health Regional Medical Center is capable of quicker scans with lower doses of radiation. Janet McGinnis, Director of Imaging, talked about how excited the Emergency Department providers have been with the new machine's capability and quick results. "The ED providers are telling me how much this has improved efficiencies for emergency patients," commented McGinnis. "In addition to that, the machine is capable of some new features such as calcium scoring and state-of-the-art cardiac imaging. Anytime we add upgraded equipment like this, we can keep our patients from having to travel outside of the Valley. We have remodeled the area to create a more comfortable and safe environment. Our providers are raving about the results and our team is proud to bring this upgrade to our community."

A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside your body. CT scan images provide more detailed information than plain X-rays do.

A CT scan has many uses, but it's particularly well-suited to quickly examine people who may have internal injuries from car accidents or other types of trauma. A CT scan can be used to visualize nearly all parts of the body and is used to diagnose disease or injury as well as to plan medical, surgical, or radiation treatment.

The upgrade and remodel project began in October 2021 and was completed in February 2022.  Patients used the mobile unit from Front Range Mobile Imaging during construction. A crane was used to remove the old machine and drop in the new one through the roof.  The machine weighs more than 2,000 tons.  Superintendent Steve Watkins with Phipps Construction was the lead on the project and worked closely with SLVH Project Manager Jim Fleming. More than a dozen different contractors contributed to this project.