New Heart Scanner Purchased by Foundation
3 October 2008Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation has purchased a new heart scanner for Cardiology Services at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals thanks to a substantial grant the Foundation received from Southern Trust.
Until now, cardiac patients had to travel to Wellington Hospital for scans but the new machine is portable and will be taken to Kenepuru Hospital (in Porirua) for weekly clinics. The portable Vivid I cardiac ultra sound machine will be instrumental in cutting down travel times and costs for hundreds of patients living in Porirua and Kapiti Coast.
"I've scanned people from Waikanae who said they were so grateful to come here instead of going into town," says Senior Cardiac Technologist Nadine Tierney (pictured above with the new machine).
The machine produces digital video in real time which allows the diagnosis of problems such as chest pains, heart failure, arrhythmia, valve problems and infectious diseases of the heart. The images, medical and technical notes can then be uploaded to the Hospital network and, if a second opinion is required, can be viewed by someone in Wellington Hospital instantly.