The Collingwood G&M Hospital Foundation is raising funds through their Tree of Life campaign in order to purchase a new CT scanner for the hospital. The current scanner is experiencing frequent breakdowns, which results in longer wait times.
According to Dr. Murray Miller, Chief of Radiology at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH), the need for a replacement CT scanner is reaching critical levels. “The current CT scanner was purchased in 2012 to meet the need of 6,500 scans per year. We now perform over 11,000 scans per year,” he says.
Critical in Diagnosing and Treating Patients Locally
A CT scanner is an essential tool that helps doctors to diagnose a wide range of medical issues, such as cancer, bowel obstructions or shattered bones. In addition, the images provided assist the healthcare team in coming up with appropriate treatment plans for their patients.
Longer than necessary wait times and having to travel for a CT scan add undo stress to an already stressful time for many people. A new scanner at the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital means that patients will be able to receive prompt and accurate diagnoses close to home.
Keeping Up with Technology is Crucial
Not only will a new CT scanner reduce wait times for patients, but the technology is faster and more accurate.
Dr. Mark Bonta, Chief of Internal Medicine at CGMH explains, “A new CT scanner would allow me to have better resolution and diagnostic capabilities when I am looking for answers to questions like: ‘Is that a pneumonia because somebody has a tumor blocking their airways? Does that person have a small blood clot?’ So, for these types of things that I need better technology to diagnose, the CT scanner would allow me to make those diagnostic decisions and then guide treatment.”
Not Possible Without Community Support
In order to replace this essential piece of medical technology, the CGMH Foundation is bringing the community together through their Tree of Life campaign.
Susan Little, a passionate foundation donor says, “Our health care is in such crisis and there is just so little that we can do about it. But this is something we can do. We can join together. We can provide these machines for our hospital. So I think it’s very important. And that’s why my husband Bob and I are donors.”
Community support funds 90% of all equipment and technology at Collingwood General & Marine Hospital.
To find out how you can help, visit the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation website or call (705) 444-8645 .