PLATTEVILLE — Southwest Health Center is now offering new medical CT imaging technology that minimizes patients’ radiation exposure while maximizing image clarity.

By investing in a new 64-slice high definition CT scanner, SHC has equipped its staff with the advanced ability to pinpoint a precise, personalized dose of radiation for each patient, guaranteeing the minimum exposure for every CT exam.

The new Siemens SOMATOM Definition scanner provides higher definition images for fast and accurate diagnosis. The new technology allows SHC radiologists and radiology technicians to personalize each CT exam to minimize exposure to radiation during the test.

“CT exams are very important to help doctors see what’s going on inside the body,” said SHC Director of Imaging Services JoAnn Geissbuhler. “The new scanner means we can provide images with extremely high clarity while also making our exams the safest possible for every individual patient.”

In comparison with standard CT scanners, SHC’s new equipment reduces radiation exposure by up to 60 percent.
The entire team of SHC radiology technicians has taken a personal oath to always “image wisely and image gently.”

“Making the pledge is our way of ensuring to all our patients we will always deliver excellent images in the safest, best way possible,” said Geissbuhler.

The new CT scanner is the first installment of a two-part investment totaling $2.2 million in medical imaging technology at Southwest Health Center. The second new piece of technology, a fixed Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner will be installed later this summer.

SHC operates fully accredited 25-bed critical access hospital and 10-bed Senior Behavioral Sciences facility in Platteville and an 84-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Cuba City. Its Medical Imaging Department is located at the Center’s Platteville Campus and provides a wide array of radiology services for patients and doctors throughout southwest Wisconsin.