Taunton and Somerset Hospital expands its cardiology unit
Second cardiac lab added to house Siemens AXIOM Artis dFC technology
Taunton and Somerset Hospital has undergone a major refurbishment in its cardiology unit as part of its commitment to improve day care, add extra beds and treat a higher number of heart patients faster. A second cardiac lab has been added which will house a Siemens AXIOM Artis dFC imaging system, a fully digital catheterisation laboratory which delivers outstanding spatial and contrast resolution for enhanced cardiac diagnostics.
The technology works in conjunction with the Siemens AXIOM Sensis - a scaleable haemodynamic and electrophysiology recording platform – to provide a dedicated cardiac system. This is coupled with a Medcon system to provide diagnostic and interventional procedures and TOMCAT to assist with data management and investigation scheduling.
The addition of the new AXIOM Artis dFC system complements the hospital’s existing Siemens Coroskop in its original lab. The new device facilitates angiography procedures allowing doctors to analyse the heart and arteries for the insertion of permanent pacemakers. Clinicians and patients will benefit from enhanced image quality that ensures more accurate and speedy diagnosis and a swifter course of treatment.
The AXIOM Sensis is designed to improve workflow and patient throughput because of its bi-directional communication capabilities. The combined technologies also facilitate automatic transfer of patient data from AXIOM Sensis to the AXIOM Artis system. It permits the reporting of all radiographic parameters based on the patient’s height and weight, including fluoro time and accumulated dose, transferred from the AXIOM Artis dFC to the AXIOM Sensis during patient examination.
The systems’ flexibility offers complete visibility of the patient and the automated touch screen provides a highly efficient and smooth catheterisation laboratory workflow so the patient has no discomfort during examination.
Gillian Stapleton, Lead Cardiac Radiographer for Taunton and Somerset Hospital said, “Maintaining high standards of patient care and treatment are of paramount importance to us. The Siemens equipment is making a real difference. The enhanced image quality allows quicker diagnosis and faster treatment, ultimately lowering waiting times and saving lives. The equipment is designed to keep the patient comfortable at all times during an otherwise stressful scan.”
Darren Parker, Regional Sales Manager at Siemens, said, “The new installation is having a positive impact on the hospital’s cardiac capability and offering to both its clinicians and ultimately the patient. The clinicians are delighted with the image quality and increased workflow and patients will see the benefits of faster scanning and increased diagnostic abilities.”
(Left-Right) Marc Rose, formerly X ray Product Manager, Siemens; Dr David Beacock, Consultant Cardiologist, Cath Lab Lead; Diane Cooper, Cath Lab Manager; Dr MacIver, Consultant Cardiologist; Gillian Stapleton-Smith, Lead Cardiac Radiographer; Dr Pete Cavanagh, Acting CEO and Consultant Radiologist; Steve Holmes, National Sales Manager, Siemens.
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