FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Date: December 18, 2009

 Contact:   Anthony Stahl
                 Director HR/Marketing
                 Howard Memorial Hospital
                 707-456-3101

Willits - Frank R. Howard Memorial hospital is currently installing a new state-of-the-art 64 slice General Electric VCT CT scanner which will be operational in January, 2010. The new CT is 5 times faster than the previous scanner and provides better image quality and more detailed coverage.

“We are fortunate to have this amazing equipment here in Willits” commented Michael Royers, radiologic technologigist specialist in CT. “The scanner has tremendous advantages for our patients. For example, a normal abdominal scan takes about 4 seconds as opposed to 25 seconds with the old machine. The new equipment has new technologies designed to reduce the amount of radiation that a patient receives. Also” stated Royers, “the images are much crisper and may help our patients avoid additional scans.”
CT scanning has the unique ability to image a combination of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels. Among all available imaging techniques, it is one of the best tools for studying the lungs and abdomen. CT provides detailed information for nearly every part of the body, including the brain, and its vessels, eyes, inner ear, chest, heart, lungs, and the skeletal system.
“We’re thrilled to have this new equipment here at Howard” stated Chris Borycki, Imaging manager. “The new equipment allows patients to stay right here for even the most complex scanner needs that previously needed to be done down in the city.”

While the new CT is being installed the hospital is renting a temporary scanner which is housed in a trailer located in the emergency room parking area. The trailer is taking up some emergency room parking space. However, the hospital has temporarily stationed one of its team members at the parking lot during the day to assist those arriving at the emergency room.

Carlton Jacobson, hospital vice president stated “The new 64 slice CT scanner represents a million dollar investment in our community that will assist us in providing even better patient care to our region”

Photo 1, Photo 2 - Chris Borycki, Radiology Manager - along with the new CT scanner