Hospital trustees approve spending $650,000 for new CT scanner

Weiser Memorial Hospital plans to update its imaging department with a new CT scanner after hospital trustees authorized spending $650,000 to replace the existing machine. 

 Hospital CFO Mark Christensen said the comparative numbers indicate buying a new CT scanner makes more financial sense than purchasing a used one. Earlier this spring, the hospital looked at acquiring a used 2010 model scanner for $160,000.  

 In a presentation to trustees at a recent hospital board meeting, he went over the economic and health care benefits of a new CT scanner compared to a used one. The cost of a new model scanner was actually lower than anticipated when the hospital contacted vendors, he said.

 “I think it makes a lot of sense to look at a new one,” Christensen said.

 A new scanner will come with a warranty and the hospital will pay nothing in maintenance costs for the first two years of ownership. The savings come to almost $200,000 when compared to the maintenance cost of operating a used scanner for the first two years. 

 A new scanner will be more reliable than an 8-year-old used machine and down time should be minimal, if at all, he said. Also, a new scanner will emit less radiation and is safer for patients.

 Christensen said the hospital should be able to finance the purchase of a new CT scanner at an interest rate that is under 5 percent. The hospital has discussed the various models that are available and their capabilities with four vendors. 

 In outlining the medical benefits, Christensen said the CT scanner that the hospital is looking at buying will allow additional tests to be done onsite that doctors currently have to send patients to other facilities to obtain. That is especially important in cases where time is critical.

 The capabilities of a new scanner will make it possible for doctors to diagnose conditions that will allow faster treatment of strokes and allow some patients to stay at the hospital for care instead of transferring them to other facilities. 

 Some diagnostic capabilities will allow medical staff to recommend less aggressive treatment, such as using drugs instead of surgical intervention, when that is appropriate, officials said. Doctors also would be able to do what are called perfusion studies for stroke patients and other conditions. Early indications are that the hospital would likely do three perfusion tests a month. 

 A new CT scanner can be scaled up to do even more specialized tests in the future. A computerized axial tomography scan is more commonly known by its abbreviated name, CT scan or CAT scan. It is an X-ray procedure which combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images. 

 In addition to the advance testing capabilities for patients, a new CT scanner also would benefit the hospital’s bottom line with additional revenue. Based on the number of patients that are sent elsewhere for tests, the hospital could earn an additional $367,961 annually from a new CT scanner. 

 In his presentation to hospital board members, Christensen said he looked at the numbers of tests that were not done at WMH and made some projections on what the hosptial could earn by providing those. The estimated annual revenue from perfusion studies for stroke patients is estimated at $100,000 and offering angiograms could account for an additional $268,411 in annual revenue.

 Hospital officials said a new CT scanner would fit in the space in the imaging department where the existing scanner is located. Some work on the floor would be needed for a new scanner.

 Hospital trustee Mary Sue Roach said a new CT scanner would be a big benefit for local patients that would allow them to avoid having to travel for tests.

 Hospital administrators are in the final negotiations for a new CT scanner and plan to place an order shortly. The timeline for receiving the CT is a little uncertain since they only build them based on orders. The hospital is tentatively planning on getting the scanner up and going in January of 2019 if possible, CEO Steve Hale said in an email.