Patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) are now benefiting from a new $282.1 million computed tomography (CT) scanner, which became fully operational on Monday following the completion of specialised staff training.
In a Facebook post, the GPHC said the $282,058,200 investment is expected to provide faster, higher-quality imaging services through clearer, higher-resolution scans that support more accurate diagnoses while strengthening radiation protection measures and improving the efficiency of patient examinations.
The hospital said the new system also incorporates multilingual instructions to help patients better understand and follow directions during scans, enhancing their overall experience.
According to the GPHC, the scanner entered full service after radiologists, radiographers, CT technologists and support staff completed specialised training to operate the equipment.
The hospital noted that its previous CT scanner had experienced frequent technical problems and prolonged periods of downtime. During that time, it partnered with private healthcare providers to ensure urgent and critically ill patients continued to receive CT scans free of cost, with GPHC covering the expenses. However, it acknowledged that some non-urgent patients faced longer waiting times.
With the new scanner now in operation, the Medical Imaging Department will focus on reducing the backlog of patients awaiting scans, shortening waiting times and strengthening diagnostic support for departments including Accident and Emergency, Internal Medicine, Surgery and Cardiology.
A CT scanner uses X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body, assisting doctors in diagnosing injuries, diseases and a range of other medical conditions.
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