In Santarém, 11 thousand exams were performed by the new CT scanner at the Regional Hospital
State-of-the-art equipment increased patient care at the unit in the Lower Amazon region by 19%
Marinalda Queiroz da Silva, 39 years old, is from the municipality of Óbidos, in western Pará, and this year began treatment at the Dr. Waldemar Penna Regional Hospital of Lower Amazon (HRBA) in Santarém. The housewife needed to undergo a computed tomography scan at the unit and praised the quick service she received. She is an example among the hundreds of patients assisted by the unit.
Since August of last year, the State Department of Public Health (Sespa) has invested over R$ 2 million in acquiring the new CT scanner to expedite care and diagnosis. In 11 months, the equipment has already performed a total of 11,252 imaging exams, benefiting users throughout the western state.
For Marinalda Silva, the treatment could not have been better. "I went to the specialist doctor and he requested a CT scan. I was well attended from the entrance to the professionals who were with me in the room; they made me feel comfortable. I was a bit anxious, but it ended up being smooth, thank God. It was all quick; I thought it would take longer," she said.
The total of 11,252 imaging exams represents a monthly average of 1,022 procedures, a growth of 19% compared to the capacity of the old machine. "The arrival of the 128-channel CT scanner to our service represented more than a technological upgrade; it was a true milestone in our care evolution. With this new technology, we can optimize the examination time, significantly reduce radiation exposure, and expand our capacity to serve without compromising safety and diagnostic quality. It is gratifying to know that we are contributing with technology, technique, and human commitment to more efficient and resolutive care at the Regional Hospital of Lower Amazon," emphasized the HRBA's Radiodiagnosis coordinator, Cássia Flávia Sousa.
High technology - The new German technology equipment has 128 channels, producing images of extremely high spatial resolution combined with very low radiation dose technologies, capable of reducing up to 60% of the dose compared to others. This feature is essential to ensure patient safety.
The high capacity of the CT scanner allows for more precise resolution, which favors more complete reports without the need for additional exams. "The quality of volumetric and multiplanar reconstruction of this equipment, combined with intelligent reconstruction algorithms, directly impacts diagnostic safety and allows the radiologist a richer and more detailed analysis," explained the radiologist and technical responsible for the imaging sector, Luiz Manuel Pedroso Júnior.
Moreover, the scanning time for an exam, such as a chest scan, can be performed in 2 to 4 seconds. This means that the patient needs to remain still or in apnea for much less time, which is essential to ensure comfort and safety, especially in patients with respiratory difficulties, pediatric patients, the elderly, or those on mechanical ventilation. "With less time in apnea and greater scanning speed, the risk of patient movement decreases, which avoids repeating exams and, consequently, more exposure," the doctor added.
More agility - The modernization of the technological park also directly impacts the care flow. With the new CT scanner, the imaging sector can serve a significantly larger number of people per day. Hospitalized patients, for example, have their exams performed on the same day as the request, which speeds up diagnosis and clinical and therapeutic decision-making, contributing to faster and more effective treatment.
"The new 128-channel CT scanner represents more than a technological advancement: it is a tool at the service of life, which enhances diagnostic confidence, preserves patient integrity, and contributes to building increasingly efficient and safe assistance. The equipment, combined with the expertise of our technical team, reaffirms HRBA's commitment to safety, humanization, and quality in patient care," concluded the general director of the Regional Hospital, Matheus Coutinho.
Service: The Regional Hospital of Lower Amazon is a reference in medium and high complexity for a population of 1.4 million people, residing in 29 municipalities, and provides 100% referenced service, meeting the demand originating from the State Regulation Center.
The unit is managed by the Social Institute Mais Saúde in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), and is located at Avenida Sérgio Henn, nº 1100, in the Diamantino neighborhood, in Santarém.
