Relax! Now you won't be alone during a CT scan

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Relax! Now you won't be alone during a CT scan

Dubai - The new technology is also meant to help in pediatric cases to help calm down young patients.

By Sherouk Zakaria

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Published: Mon 30 Jan 2017, 8:00 PM

Last updated: Tue 31 Jan 2017, 12:17 PM

If you feel anxious, or even scared, during a CT Scan, you are not alone.
A new study that involved 1,000 UAE residents showed that 48 per cent find CT scan much more intimidating than other routine tests like blood tests (28 per cent), X-Rays (11 per cent) and blood pressure checks (6 per cent).
Results prompted an international medical technology business to introduce the world's first mobile operative CT scanners, Somatom go., that allow medical staff to stay close to the patient during the process.
While conventional scanning involves doctors or radiographers to leave patients for 3-4 minutes to fill in their data in a different room, the new system, developed by Siemens Healthineers, allows radiographers to perform the process through a tablet wirelessly connected to the gantry to stay beside the patient.
The company announced the project launch, developed with radiologists, CFOs, and referring physicians, during the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress. It is expected to be available for use in hospitals and clinics by the beginning of April.
"The main reason people felt intimidated by CT scans is due to the closed spaces, but most importantly they said the absence of anyone beside them made them anxious," said Kay Zwingenberger, Managing Director Middle East and Africa, Siemens Healthineers.
The remote equipment also negates the need to repeat scans meaning decreased waiting times and workloads.
Zwingenberger added that scanners' automated post processing allows staff with a basic level of training to carry out examinations, required particularly during peak times and emergencies.
"It means we are independent of static devices and we can also perform tasks very quickly, allowing more examinations per day," said Zwingenberger.
The new technology is also meant to help in pediatric cases to help calm down young patients.
According to Ayman El Hussein, Head of Diagnostic Imaging Middle East & Africa at Siemens Healthineers, the scanners are designed to be affordable in rural or war-stricken countries.
"The system is designed for operational efficiency and image quality at low doses," said El Hussain.
Siemens Healthineers offers medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics and advanced medical services, consulting and healthcare IT services in the region.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com


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