The Sparwood Health Centre has a new digital x-ray system as part of major upgrades in its imaging department.
Interior Health officials say construction on the $1.025 million project began in June.
“We required upgrades to the room itself to control x-ray scatter as well as meet newer occupational health standards,” said Scott Edmonstone, Director of Medical Imaging for the East and West Kootenays.
“This included things like patient lifts to aid the technologist and help the safety of the patient when moving them.”
Edmonstone says the new system is a huge improvement and makes the department much more advanced.
“It now has digital radiography, which provides much better detail for the images. It also allows us to move to position, which means the technologist doesn’t have to move the machine as much,” explained Edmonstone.
“The table also lowers to allow patients to get on and off the table much easier.”
The new tech will also allow the Sparwood Health Centre to perform scoliosis and leg-length x-rays.
The previous equipment was first installed in 1997 and has reached the end of its service life.
“Our BioMed folks did a really good job of keeping it going for so long, but the upgrades reduce the burden on them,” said Edmonstone.
“The new system also reduces the downtime if there are any repairs that are needed. When you have a unit that is at the end of its service life, it can be difficult to get parts.”
The Kootenay East Regional Hospital District put forward $410,000 toward the total cost of the project.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyEastKootenayNow News Alerts.
