Innovative Imaging System Provides Doctors with Faster, Better Images to Improve Patient Care.

Frankford Hospitals are the first medical centers in Philadelphia to install a state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanner that produces more detailed images of the human body faster than ever before. The new "LightSpeed™" CT scanner (GE Medical Systems) not only means more diagnostic information for doctors in routine situations, but its improved speed can also save precious time in emergency situations.

The LightSpeed™ is the world’s first scanner to allow doctors to simultaneously capture multiple images of a patient’s anatomy up to six times faster than traditional CT scanners.

"The new scanner is the next step in the evolution of helical CT scanners," explains Marc Silver, DO, Section Head of CT Scanning at Frankford Hospitals. "The LightSpeed™ builds on the science of earlier models that move 360 degrees around the patient to take pictures of the anatomy being studied in ‘slices.’ The advantage of the new scanner is that it takes four pictures of the part of the body being studied simultaneously, while obtaining thinner ‘slices’ of information that provide more specific, richer data that can detect lesions that the older scanners could not."

With its rapid speed, the new CT scanner reduces testing time dramatically. The shorter testing time limits patients’ radiation exposure as well as their anxiety levels. "For most patients – especially trauma patients - the time spent inside a CT scanner is a confining, anxious experience," says Dr. Silver. "If a patient is brought in now with head trauma, for example, he or she can receive a CT scan of the head in 19 seconds with the LightSpeed™ versus a minute with earlier scanners. Being able to reduce patient stress, as well as obtain better diagnostic information, is a huge advance."

The LightSpeed™ also has the potential to increase image clarity for the diagnosis of cancer, spinal injuries and pediatric conditions. Life-threatening blood clots and cardiac conditions also have the potential of being detected faster and more reliably with the new scanner.

Frankford Hospitals have installed the LightSpeed™ scanner at Frankford Hospital – Frankford, Frankford Avenue and Wakeling Streets, and will soon be offering the new imaging system at Frankford Hospital – Torresdale, Knights and Red Lion Roads, both in Northeast Philadelphia. A LightSpeed is also in place at Frankford Hospital – Bucks County, located at 380 North Oxford Valley Road in Langhorne, Pa.

Frankford Hospitals, established in 1903, are community teaching hospitals licensed to operate 544 beds. A member of the Jefferson Health System since 1998, Frankford Hospitals have three locations serving Northeast Philadelphia and nearby Bucks and Montgomery counties – a 21-zip code primary service area.

Published: 2-2000