Ascension St. Vincent Warrick unveils new nuclear medicine camera to expand local care

Ascension St. Vincent Warrick has expanded its local diagnostic capabilities with the installation of a new nuclear medicine camera, an investment in regional healthcare infrastructure aimed at keeping medical care close to home.

The new equipment was officially unveiled and blessed during a special ceremony at the hospital.

The upgraded nuclear medicine suite features a high-performance dual-detector system, empowering care teams to perform vital cardiac imaging studies, when clinically appropriate, such as stress tests, with diagnostic precision. The suite also features digital detector technology, a streamlined gantry design, a cantilevered patient table, and integrated Xeleris processing workstations.

"We are excited to bless this advanced imaging nuclear medicine machine," said Zach Zirklebach, Interim President, Ascension St. Vincent South Region. "We are glad to keep healthcare close to home with team members our patients know and trust."

The new nuclear medicine camera is designed with patient comfort and safety in mind, featuring several key upgrades:

• Quality Imaging: Advanced detector technology and a SPECT-optimized design aim to provide clear diagnostic views.
• Minimized Radiation Exposure: Built-in dose reduction capabilities help lower radiation exposure during scans.
• Enhanced Comfort and Efficiency: Faster SPECT imaging and flexible robotic gantry movement are designed to efficiently accommodate a diverse range of clinical needs.
• Integrated Care Collaboration: Advanced image processing connects securely within a protected operating environment to remote workstations and PACS solutions, supporting collaboration among care teams.

"It's one of the first steps in a diagnosis process for cardiologists or other clinicians," said Amanda Griswold, Director of Imaging Services. "So it's great to have it here in Boonville, local to our community."

Chaplain Linda Joyner highlighted the impact the space will have on patients and their families during the blessing ceremony.

"Within these walls, patients will come seeking answers, hope, healing, and sometimes reassurance during uncertain moments in their lives," Joyner said.

She reminded attendees that while the technology is remarkable, the hospital's primary focus remains on the individual.

"We are reminded that behind every scan, every image, every procedure, and every diagnosis is a person - a person with a story, a person with a family, hopes, fears, and a life that matters deeply," Joyner said.

The addition of the nuclear medicine camera builds upon the broad range of local diagnostic services already available at Ascension St. Vincent Warrick, which includes X-ray, CT, MRI, and echocardiography.