Kelowna hospital gets new CT scanner

KELOWNA – The hospital is getting a new CT scanner, replacing the 12-year-old one with a new $2 million machine.

The new scanner will be installed at Kelowna General Hospital in March. CT, or Computed Tomography, is used for detailed, cross-sectional views of tissue such as bones, muscle and blood vessels. It can be used to diagnose cancer; detect, diagnose and treat vascular disease, spinal problems and injuries.

The new machine is expected to be about 32 times faster than the old one to the average of 23,000 average exams at the hospital per year.

The total upgrade will cost about $2.8 million, with the additional $800,000 allotted to renovations including additional air conditioning and power demands. Funding comes from the province through IHA and the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District.

The hospital will continue the use of its second scanner through the renovations.

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