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New scanner speeds up vital hospital diagnoses (From Redhill And Reigate Life)
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New scanner speeds up vital hospital diagnoses
1:51pm Friday 5th February 2010
Doctors at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill can now diagnose patients with life-threatening illnesses within minutes using a new hi-tech scanner.
The accident and emergency doctors can call on a 'real-time' ultrasound scanner for a speedier diagnosis.
The scanner, used for patients with serious conditions including a suspected aneurysm - balloon-like bulge - of the main artery in the abdomen, or a car accident, will help reduce waiting time, decision-making for treatment, and provide more information for patients from the start of care.
The Friends of East Surrey Hospital donated about £35,000 for the ultrasound scanner.
It consists of a monitor with three scope-like tools that can do an echo of a heart, muscle or abdomen in minutes.
Emergency Department's Dr Walid Alsalim said: "The scanner is a big step forward in technology for the health sector, providing high quality care and enhancing decision-making.
“We can assess an internal problem in 'real-time' with this tool, fast-tracking diagnosis and referring patients more quickly.”
With the press of a button, a patient's scan can be printed off for immediate use by a specialist or team in the hospital, speeding up treatment.
It also automatically creates an image library, which will help to better understand illnesses, improve diagnosis, and share good practice with other departments in East Surrey Hospital or hospitals elsewhere in the country.
Dr Alsalim said: “Currently, we are training our consultants, ensuring we can use this more widely across the department, benefiting patients and staff.
“At East Surrey Hospital we are very pleased with having this top of the range technology donated by the League of Friends."
Ultrasound scans send off high frequency sound waves into organs and then the reflected waves are captured by the scanner, resulting in an image.
Doctors need a minimum of 36 hours training to use the scanner.
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