The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has taken a “game-changer” leap forward in emergency stroke treatment with the installation of a new CT scanner in its Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, hospital officials said Monday.
This cutting-edge technology promises to revolutionise patient care, potentially saving lives and reducing long-term disability through rapid diagnosis and treatment
During the hospital’s Pulse Radio Show, Executive Director of Clinical and Diagnostic Services Dr Corey Forde noted the scanner’s impact on stroke treatment.
“Minutes are brains,” he said, quoting neurologist Dr Simeona Jacinto.
“The faster you get imaging done for certain conditions, the better the outcome. If you arrive at A&E within three hours of experiencing stroke symptoms, we can determine whether it’s caused by a clot or a bleed and begin treatment immediately,” he said, adding that this can reduce disability by more than 26 per cent over five years.
“It can even help some patients walk again who might have otherwise been bedridden.”
Dr Forde added that the scanner will enhance QEH’s stroke protocols, allowing doctors to administer clot-busting drugs to patients suffering from ischaemic strokes, which occur when a blood clot blocks a vessel supplying the brain.
“This is what the rest of the world is doing. Now, we can deliver targeted therapy much faster, leading to better rehabilitation potential for patients,” he said.
The introduction of the scanner is also expected to improve overall hospital efficiency by reducing the burden on outpatient and inpatient radiology services.
Senior Radiographer Susan Sookoo said the additional capacity will allow the hospital to accommodate more cases, including referrals from polyclinics, outpatient clinics, and even private-sector patients.
“With the A&E CT scanner now operational and another machine donated by the Maria Holder Trust, we can run two scanners concurrently. This opens up more opportunities for scheduled imaging, ensuring faster diagnoses and reducing waiting times for all patients,” Sookoo said.
She, however, noted that with the new equipment comes the need for additional staffing to keep up with demand, noting that the radiology department currently handles more than 200 requests per day, with just 13 radiographers carrying the workload.
“We need to hire at least three to five more radiographers,” she said.
“Right now, our team works as though they are 20 people, keeping things running smoothly. But to maximise the efficiency of these new scanners, we need more hands on deck.”
Dr Forde also revealed plans to further modernise radiology services through tele-radiography, which allows imaging to be read remotely, reducing delays in diagnosis.
“We’ve already piloted this approach, and it has shown promising results. Now, we’re working on expanding it to speed up imaging interpretations and improve overall efficiency,” he said.
In addition to hiring more radiographers, Dr Forde noted that the QEH has received approval to increase the number of radiologists at both junior and senior levels, further strengthening its diagnostic capabilities.
He urged Barbadians to take charge of their health, emphasising that while advancements in medical technology are crucial, prevention remains the best defence against life-threatening conditions such as strokes. (SM)
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