February 16, 2009

Purchase of CT machine brings a new partner to the RVH project

Following months of study and careful deliberation, Renfrew Victoria Hospital has signed a purchase agreement with GE Healthcare to purchase a 64-slice CT (computerized axial tomography) scanner.

“This is a very significant development,” comments RVH CEO Randy Penney. “We are now ready to move ahead with bringing this important diagnostic technology to our community.”

“The exciting phase is coming,” agrees Dr. Sherief Massoud, a radiologist at the hospital who has worked on the CT project together with Dr. David Lyons, medical director of the RVH diagnostic imaging department.

Dr. Massoud arrived in Renfrew from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in October. He has played a key role in developing the call for tenders and helping to select the successful bidder from the three companies who provided tenders.

The bids were reviewed by a team that included Dr. Massoud, Radiology Lead Hand Phil Crozier, RVH Vice-President of Corporate Services Julia Boudreau, and Radiology Technologist Paul Brabant. Their decision was based on a number of factors, including the capital and operating costs of the various systems, the training and education to be provided by the supplier, the follow-up service offered, and the references of current users of the technology.

The team visited hospitals in Toronto, Ottawa and Gatineau where the various CT systems are in use.

The selection of the GE Healthcare LightSpeed VCT scanner takes the RVH CT project to a new stage.

“We’re partnering with them now,” states Boudreau. “GE is now part of the process to help plan for the installation, location and technical support we’ll need to make this a reality.”

The 64-slice CT scanner will be a significant improvement in the diagnostic services available to Renfrew area residents.

“It will add a new dimension to how we can help patients,” asserts Dr. Massoud, noting that he has encountered a number of cases during his four months at the hospital where CT was required and patients had to be referred to other centres.

The 64-slice technology is the standard of care for general practice. Higher slice levels are available, but are primarily used for specialized heart medicine.

The request for proposals was issued by RVH last June. The 40-page bid guide had been developed with Dr. Massoud’s assistance following the hospital board’s decision to invest in the technology.

With no provincial funding available for either the capital or operating costs associated with CT, the decision was not taken lightly.

“This represents a requirement for nearly $3 million from our local supporters,” explains Penney. “It is a lot to ask, but we are convinced that this is a responsible decision based on our community’s health care needs.”

Without CT, thousands of patients from the area are required to travel to Pembroke or Ottawa each year for the tests. The technology is now seen as a standard of care, making it difficult to recruit new physicians without ready access to it.

CT scanning provides detailed views of many types of body tissue including the lungs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels. It is used in the treatment of emergency cases and can diagnose major diseases like cancer, stroke, pelvic-abdominal disorders and osteoporosis.

“Our board has taken a leadership role in this initiative, and we are delighted with the support for this project that we have received from the Champlain Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care,” comments Penney. “Of course, we are also extremely gratified by the response from the community to date, and we are confident that our supporters will once again provide the assistance we require.”

A dedicated CT fund has been established by the foundation. Anyone interested in contributing to the fund or learning more about planned giving and other donation options is invited to contact the foundation office at 613-432-4851 ext. 263.

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(For more information, contact Randy Penney, CEO, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, 613-432-4851, ext. 260.)