Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans

What is a CT?

A CT Scan - also called Computerized Tomography or just CT - is an X-ray technique that produces images of the body to visualize internal structures in cross sections, rather than the overlapping images typically produced by conventional X-ray exams.

Contrast agents may be used intravenously or by mouth to see blood vessels, intestines, organs, and lymph nodes more clearly during a CT.

• A CT scan may be recommended by a doctor to help:
• Diagnose muscle and bone disorders, such as bone tumors and fractures
• Pinpoint the location of a tumor, infection or blood clot
• Guide procedures such as surgery, biopsy and radiation therapy
• Detect and monitor diseases such as cancer or heart disease
• Detect internal injuries and internal bleeding
• CT scans can be done even if patients have a pacemaker, an internal cardioverter defibrillator or any implanted devices in the body.

Technology

Nothing matters more to us than our patients’ well-being. That’s why we upgraded all of our CT equipment to GE’s newest, cutting edge technology. GE Healthcare has created Lower Dose by Design - to focus on innovation, patient care, and teamwork. Lower Dose by Design combines research, training, technology, and clinical practice to achieve diagnostic image quality at optimized dose. These technologies help record and monitor the dose we give to our patients every day, ensuring you the safest exam possible.

Our new GE 64-Slice and GE 16-Slice scanners come fully equipped with A.S.I.R. technology, which has been proven to drastically reduce patient radiation exposure without compromising image quality. These scanners allow us to scan the area of interest in a volumetric acquisition versus one slice at a time, which decreases the time it takes to perform the study and enables accurate 2D and 3D reconstructions in any plane to visualize blood vessels, bones, organs, inflammatory changes and mass lesions.

If you are scheduled for a CT Scan, please complete the CT & X-ray Risk Assessment Sheet and the Medication Reconciliation Sheet.