Orangeville, ON - Headwaters Health Care Centre has added a 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner in their Diagnostic Imaging department replacing the existing 4-slice CT scanner. “The number refers to its speed, like the shutter speed of a camera. In just seconds it produces clear, precise diagnostic pictures in 3D,” said Scott Edmonstone, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging at Headwaters.

The CT scan is non-invasive, painless and can double as a screening tool. In about 10 seconds the technician can get a birds-eye view of what’s happening inside your body. The new 64-slice scanner provides improved resolution of images for patients with complex medical issues including cardiac, neurological, abdominal, pelvic and orthopaedic conditions. This scanner can capture the image of a beating heart in 5 seconds, an organ in 1 second and the whole body in 10 seconds.

The availability of this technology at Headwaters means that patients will have access to the very latest in imaging capability. In a single rotation the scanner creates 64 high resolution anatomical images – as thin as a credit card. The 64-slice CT scanner from GE Healthcare will enable physicians to obtain the critical information they need to make a diagnosis quickly, with less anxiety and stress for patients.

“The new scanner is so fast that you don't have to give medication and so sensitive that it gives less radiation. It can grab a picture of the cardiovascular system in motion letting the technician “freeze” motion and better define certain disease processes. It will allow some patients to rule out the need for invasive testing,” added Edmonstone.

“It’s a very good test for excluding cardiac disease. That’s why it's so good for people who have high cholesterol or family histories or people who are very nervous that they may have cardiac disease. It can reduce the time a patient spends in the emergency department, or eliminate the need for hospitalization, if the exam is normal,” said Dr. Jeff McKinnon, Chief of Staff at Headwaters.

The new scanner installed at Headwaters Health Care Centre is the Lightspeed VCT 64 Slice CT Scanner manufactured by GE Healthcare.

Headwaters’ Diagnostic Imaging Department is located on the main level of the hospital. Imaging services are provided on an inpatient, outpatient and emergency basis. For more information regarding the services available in our Diagnostic Imaging department, please call 519-941-2702 ext. 2211 or visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

To make a donation to the Diagnostic Imaging Department, please contact Headwaters Health Care Foundation at 519.941.2702, ext. 2303 or make a gift online at www.headwatershealth.ca.

The public is invited to provide comments and suggestions about hospital services. Please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre at 519-941-2702 ext. 2200.

About Headwaters Health Care Centre
Headwaters Health Care Centre serves more than 110,000 residents in Caledon, Orangeville, Shelburne and Dufferin County. The hospital operates two sites – Headwaters Orangeville, a 108 bed acute care hospital and Headwaters Shelburne, a 33 bed chronic care hospital. Visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

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