Significant upgrades to Dandenong Hospital’s imaging service are progressing well. Chief Radiographer Malcolm Gibson says the project will provide major benefits for patients and employees.
A new brighter and modern CT facility will dramatically improve the patient experience at Dandenong Hospital. Handover of the new CT facility is expected soon, and it will become operational shortly afterwards.
“The scan room is larger and better equipped for critically-ill patients, while the scanner is located closer to Emergency for improved response times,” Malcolm said. “The unit itself has a much-improved layout, a colourful décor, and will allow us to separate inpatient and outpatient activity much more easily.”
“The second MRI scanner will help us manage any surge in demand, will allow us to perform some of the MRI studies we cannot currently do, and importantly will reduce the need to send patients to Monash Medical Centre,” Malcolm said. “The second MRI may be the improvement we are looking forward to the most, purely because of the significant immediate impact it will have on patient care.”
The new MRI will feature a sky ceiling and calmer environment, a wider machine bore to improve comfort levels for claustrophobic patients, and a quieter patient experience when possible.
“The machine itself will be faster for many scans, while providing more reliability and improved image quality for our patients,” Malcolm said.
Other features of the upgraded unit include:
- a purpose-built CT reporting room close to main reception
- a second accessible toilet for patients
- an improved unit layout, reception space, and less congestion.
“This project was first proposed following the opening of the new emergency department and Acute Assessment Unit over seven years ago,” Malcolm said. “In the years since, the project has involved a high level of consultation between key clinical employees, and the project design team.”
The project teams have worked to minimise disruption, although unavoidable area closures were required.
“Thankfully the team has been very adaptable to these changes and interrupted power, relocated supplies and changing layouts,” Malcolm said. “We have continued to provide a high level of care for our patients.”
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