Through a generous philanthropic gift, Hoag’s Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & Vascular Institute has purchased a state-of-the-art Siemens Force Computed Tomography scanner for patients at Hoag Health Center Newport Beach.
The latest advancement, the Force CT scanner enables new levels of image quality while speeding up the scanning process and lowering radiation exposure – all to capture better, faster and higher quality images of an organ that is constantly in motion.
“This new machine produces high resolution images of the beating heart with amazing clarity. It’s a game-changer for patients who require advanced cardiac and cardiovascular imaging such as evaluation of the moving structures like coronary arteries, aortic valve or ascending thoracic aorta,” said Scott Williams, M.D., chief of service for the Department of Radiology. “Adding this scanner expands our ability to offer nonemergent advanced cardiac and cardiovascular imaging in the outpatient setting.”
Hoag was the first hospital in Orange County to invest in the Siemens Force CT scanner in 2017. This newer model builds upon the Force’s imaging power. The latest iteration includes powerful dual X-ray tubes, an infrared camera for optimal patient positioning, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to assist in diagnosis.
“Think of a photographer trying to capture an image of a fast-moving object. He/she needs the camera to have a super-fast shutter speed and large lens for maximum light,” Dr. Williams said. “The same principles apply when imaging the beating heart with CT.”
The spacious Force CT is designed for comfort and speed: after patient preparation the actual scan typically takes under 10 seconds. The obtained images are then processed on site in Hoag’s 3D Imaging Lab.
“No other community hospital has its own in-house 3D processing lab. Our highly trained team of technologists utilize the most up-to-date software to generate complex 3D and 4D image sets that assist our radiologists in making accurate diagnoses and furthermore serve as educational tools for interactions between patients and their doctor,” Dr. Williams said. “By doing the processing at Hoag we maintain high quality standards with very quick turnaround time.”
Faster. Better. Crisper. Hoag has captured the heart of improved patient care.
