Brokenshire Hospital now equipped with hi-end CT scan

By Cheneen R. Capon
Taking another stride in the improvement of medical services in Mindanao, Davao’s very own Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc. (BIHMI) can measure up with Manila’s finest hospitals as it inaugurated the first-of-its-kind computed tomography (CT) scan in the island yesterday.
“The Siemen’s Somatom Definition AS+128 slices CT scanner is a dream of every radiologist. In our lingua, it is already the state-of-the-art. It delivers low dosage of radiation to patients,” Dr. Samuel B. Bangoy, chairperson for the Department of Medical Imaging (Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology) of BIHMI, said the blessing ceremony yesterday.
Dr. Bangoy said the BIHMI’s latest scanner is safe for pediatric computerized tomography compared to old generation scanners which exposes patients to high dose of radiation that can cause cancer in the long run.
Launched four years ago worldwide, the BIHMI’s newest multi-slice CT scan is considered as one of the new generation CT scan models which can produce higher and better qualities of three-dimensional images of internal organs and structures of the body.
Capable of performing multiple medical imaging, Dr. Bangoy said the Siemen’s Somatom Definition AS+128 slices can accommodate more than 40 patients at a maximum capacity per day.
“In a scale of one to 10, the difference between the old generations CT scan we had is 8 to 9,” Bangoy said adding the scanner designed to maximize clinical outcome.
Dr. Bangoy said among the imaging that the scanner is capable of performing are CT Angiography that produces detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body; brain perfusion imaging; CT Colonography which is used to obtain internal view of the colon or the large intestine; liver segmental calculation, and short scanning of the whole body.
Siemens, Inc. Medical Solution dealer manager Haydee Cayanan-Lazaro said the scanner is the first in Mindanao.
It’s a multi-slice CT –SCAN it is almost top of the line. Usually, what we have in this region is usually dual slice or 16 slices. 128 slices are pretty uncommon,” Lazaro said.
But in the whole country, Lazaro said high-end medical hospitals in Manila also have their own The Siemen’s Somatom Definition AS+128 slices. “It can produce images in just 0.6 seconds,” she added.
“You’ll be proud because Brokenshire is almost at the same level of these high-end medical hospitals in Manila and that is not common in Mindanao,” Lazaro said.
Department of Health 11 regional director Dr. Abdullah Dumama said the upgrading of equipment of Brokenshire is a clear commitment of the hospital in providing high level medical services to the public.
Dumama said partner private hospitals like the Brokenshire is fulfilling its mandate of improving public health service.
Apart from the scanner, the BIHMI also celebrated the grand opening of the Department of Medical Imaging New Facility which will house the CT scanner.
“We improved the physical and interior aspect of our facility to give better services to our client. When patients enter the facility, they won’t feel like they are in a hospital because we designed it like a hotel lobby,” Dr Bangoy said.
Dr. Bangoy also said two separate entrances were constructed for the inpatient and outpatient clients to create better experience and lessen the anxiety.
BIHMI chief executive director Pastor Ruben L. Dela Cruz said the inauguration of the facility and equipment is just one segment of the projects of the hospital that are the already on the pipeline.
“We’re planning to launch the renal dialysis facility on May 18,” he added.
Dela Cruz said the hospital already launched the pediatric intensive care unit two months ago.
“All these projects are part of our commitment to fulfill the vision and the mission of the organization which is provide quality medical services for all,” he added.