Published on April 06, 2011

Methodist Offers First CT/Nuclear Medicine Scanner in the U.S.

Methodist Medical Center has become the first hospital in the United States to receive the latest equipment in high tech medical imaging. A first of its kind GE Discovery 670 combined Nuclear Medicine/CT scanner is now operational in the hospital’s medical imaging department. After a successful introduction in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, GE Healthcare completed the first U.S. installation at Methodist early this year.

The Discovery Nuclear Medicine/CT system combines the Nuclear Medicine Scanner and GE Healthcare’s BrightSpeed Elite 16 slice CT. Tony Howard, Director of Hospital Imaging for Methodist said the new equipment offers significant advantages for the patient and physician. Howard said,
“Focusing on improving the patient experience, this revolutionary system can reduce scan time dramatically. A shorter more comfortable scan helps to improve image quality, and reduces imaging errors caused by the patient who may find it difficult to stay motionless for longer periods of time.”

Howard says the new equipment is vital in the search for cancer, especially bone and thyroid cancer, providing physician’s higher quality images in detecting and treating cancer. In addition, the equipment can be used in various cardiac and spinal exams and by combining a nuclear medicine scan with CT, may result in fewer tests for the patient.

“The Department of Medical Imaging at Methodist has a long history of early integration of emerging technology into clinical practice,” said Dr. Carter Young, Medical Director for Methodist Medical Imaging. “The acquisition of this new device is in keeping with that philosophy. Our partnership with General Electric has had and will continue to provide significant benefits for Methodist and patients in Central Illinois.”