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County hospital’s new portable x-ray machine ‘takes fantastic pictures’

Pictured in the Diagnostic Imaging Department at PECMH with the new portable machine from left, are: Meghan Stevens, medical radiation technologist, Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation, Briar Boyce, senior development officer with the PECMH Foundation and Alex Bedard, medical radiation technologist. Hospital fundraising continues with $137,500 left to raise before March 31 – Amy Weir photo

Thanks to donors to the equipment campaign, a new portable x-ray machine is in use at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital.

The machine is used to obtain diagnostic images when a patient is unable to be transported to the x-ray room. It can be moved to the emergency department, inpatient unit or any patient care area as needed.

In a trauma situation, the ER physician can view x-ray images at the bedside, when minutes matter.

“When it comes to diagnosis, time can be a major factor,” said Tammy Robson, interim manager of Diagnostic Imaging at Quinte Health Care. “The new portable X-Ray machine provides improvements to the quality and safety of our diagnostic images through enhanced technology. High quality images are able to be captured using less radiation than the previous portable unit,” she said.

When asked about how the portable x-ray machine helps with the delivery of care, Dr. Cliff Rice replied, “It takes fantastic pictures!”

The diagnostic imaging staff at the hospital were trained on the new equipment in January. The upgraded equipment replaces a machine that was 14-years-old and had reached the end of its life.

Previously, once a Medical Radiation Technologist (X-Ray Tech) took an image, he or she had to take the imaging plate from the old portable machine back to the Radiology Department for processing, similar to developing film from a camera.

The new portable x-ray machine instantly displays the image, allowing the technologist to ensure an optimal, quality image prior to leaving the bedside, and providing physicians access to the information required to make decisions quickly.

The Foundation embarked on a fundraising campaign to raise more than $205,000 for the acquisition of this vital piece of equipment. Through the support of the community during the holiday season, over $115,000 was raised toward the portable x-ray machine.

“Thank you to everyone who donated to this cause. Having this machine is a state-of-the art upgrade to our critical services. Without donor support, this purchase would not have been possible,” said Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the PECMH Foundation.

“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to our donors for helping us bring this essential piece of equipment to PECMH,” said Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. “The overall effort from fundraising to implementing this new portable x-ray machine shows what’s possible when a community comes together. We are very proud of our partnerships with individuals, service clubs and businesses throughout the County who support the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives year after year. We know the addition of this portable x-Ray to our hospital will serve our community for years to come and will move with us to the new hospital, once opened.”

As the need for priority equipment never stops, the Foundation is appealing to the public to help us raise $137,500 to support equipment purchases at PECMH including the balance owing on the x-ray machine and the purchase of 17 IV Infusion Transport Pumps before March 31, 2020.

Donations can be made through the Foundation’s website at www.pecmhf.ca, over the phone by calling 613-476-1008 ext. 4425 or in person at the Foundation office inside the PECM Hospital at 403 Main St., Picton.

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