Medical Imaging

It’s possible no one knows better the benefits of the relationship VIHA has with Lady Minto Hospital Foundation than Dr. Don Shea. All hospitals rely heavily on their Foundations for support in the area of equipment acquisition and Lady Minto is “unusually well equipped”. Make no mistake, Dr. Shea states that “VIHA is extremely appreciative of the splendid job and the good working relationship”. He also ponders whether we wouldn’t be as well equipped if the Foundation weren’t as eager to fund the necessary purchases. He believes the Foundation’s readiness has prodded VIHA to step up to the plate in Medical Imaging, where maybe they might not have been as quick.

Dr. Don Shea and the PACS

One of the most dramatic improvements in Medical Imaging was the PACS equipment project. The Foundation was able to put their full support behind this regional initiative and purchase the system in 2005, worth over $320,000. This system is a way of reporting and having access within VIHA. With this new advancement film was gone and the usual turnaround time of 3-5 days was reduced to immediate transferring across network lines. The digital recordings are read in a film reader then the images are recorded digitally and within a short period of time they are being reviewed by the doctor.

Chris Gix using the Film Reader

Another exciting piece of equipment is the C Arm Fluoroscope. This C Arm resides in Operating Room #2 and is in use 3 days a week for joint injections. The Foundation purchases this piece of equipment in 2009 for $150,000. Without this room available to house the C Arm, Dr. Shea would not have been able to do the Intervention Radiology for which he has become so well known.

Technician Arlene Nikiforouk with Don Shea and the C Arm

Don loves this little Mobile X-ray machine

This Mobile X-ray unit is heavily used piece of equipment. It was purchased in 2009 by the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

It is the oldest piece of equipment in Medical Imaging.

In 2004, the Foundation put over $300,000 into a renovation that facilitated the switch to digital. In 2010, VIHA really stepped up to the plate with a renovation of the Radiographic Room. The Foundation aided with committing $100,000 to this project. Prior to this upgrade patients had to climb up onto the bed using a step stool and for the elderly or infirm this was very often a painful process.

Judith Harrison standing on step stool beside old bed in CR Radiographic Room.

With the new bed, all patients are able to sit down on the bed and….

Chris on new bed...note his feet on the floor.

….hydraulics lift every thing up towards the X-ray equipment. According the Dr. Shea, for the staff and the community this has been a godsend. All of this equipment is brand new .

Demonstrating the benefits of hydraulics!

The final piece in the CR Radiographic room is the Chest Stand. I don’t think anyone can question the importance of this room to Salt Spring Island residents. A busy department, well funded by the Foundation and VIHA and staffed by a dedicated group of individuals.

Don Shea demonstrates the Chest Stand

Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Salt Spring Island, BC

Medical Imaging