Thanks to the funds raised at the PMH Foundation Gala in January and the generous donations of two families, a major down payment was made for the hospital’s new CT scanner.

“Our goal for the fund-raisers this past year, especially the gala, was to raise funds for a decent down payment to assist the hospital on obtaining a new CT scan machine,” board chairperson Jan Dye said.

“The new scanner is more up-to-date and will allow the hospital to do more scans and diagnostic imaging.

“We raised around $27,000 at the gala and then two individual families came forward to donate $10,000 apiece for the legacy wall and wanted the funds to go toward payment on the CT scan,” Mrs. Dye continued.

“So, with an additional $3,000 from funds the foundation already had we voted to donate $50,000 for the down payment on the new CT scan.”

Information regarding the new CT from Tricia Whorton, Medical Imaging Manager at Purcell Municipal Hospital, verified the need for the newer equipment.

PMH’s Radiology is currently utilizing a GE 16-slice CT scanner, which the hospital has outgrown due to increased patient volume. Because of the high demand, the system frequently operates at capacity and can overheat, requiring periodic pauses in scanning to allow for cooling. This has impacted workflow efficiency and patient flow,Whorton explained.

“To address these challenges, we are installing a GE 128-slice CT scanner. This advanced system offers significantly faster scan times and improves thermal management, allowing for more continuous operation with minimal downtime,” she confirmed.

In addition to increased efficiency, the 128-slice CT scanner expands the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities. It enables advanced imaging such as CTA run-off exams, which are essential for detecting vascular conditions, including blockages in the abdominal aorta and lower extremities. This is especially valuable in emergency settings for the timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions like Deep Vein Thrombosis, officials said.

The new system also includes software for CT calcium scoring, a noninvasive exam that measures calcified plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. This capability supports early assessment of cardiovascular risk and helps in the prevention of serious events such as heart attack and stroke.

“Overall, this upgrade will enhance patient care by improving efficiency, expanding diagnostic services, and supporting more timely and accurate clinical decisions,” PMH CEO/CNO Chris Wright said.

The installation process will start the last week of April and finish the second week of May.