Chelsea And Westminster Opts For Latest CT Via NHS Supply Chain Framework, UK

Main Category: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 26 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has ordered the newly launched SOMATOM Definition AS and AS+ CT systems from Siemens via the NHS Supply Chain Framework.

The SOMATOM Definition AS and AS+, the world's first adaptive scanners, were launched at RSNA in late 2007 and into the UK in February. The NHS Supply Chain infrastructure is helping to speed up the process of medical equipment procurement by opening up dialogue between suppliers and Trusts and delivering greater value for money.

"By spending less time on the procurement process we can provide patients with more rapid access to modern medical equipment," said Alan Kaye, Radiology Services Manager at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. "We were pleasantly surprised at the speed of the process and the advice on offer - we wouldn't now return to the previous way of doing things."

"Up to this point we've managed our waiting lists with just one CT scanner. This makes balancing routine lists and seeing urgent trauma patients a complex process," continued Alan Kaye. "By selecting these two CT systems we can now expect improved image quality to assist our clinical needs and an increase in throughput to meet the business expectations of targets and NICE guidelines."

The SOMATOM Definition AS and AS+ are the first CT scanners that adapt to virtually any patient and clinical need. The systems are suitable for routine diagnostic work and complex examinations including oncology, neurology and cardiology.

The Definition AS combines an Adaptive Dose Shield, which blocks unnecessary radiation thus ensuring the patient is only exposed to clinically relevant dose; a scan length of up to 200cm and a 78cm gantry opening all resulting in fast and problem-free head-to-foot scanning. The Definition AS+ takes functionality further, combining extremely fast coverage with up to 128 slices per rotation whilst maintaining delivery of crystal-clear images, free from movement artefacts and showing the finest anatomical details.

"We are delighted that the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has selected the two new CT scanners. These are new, highly innovative systems that meet the demands of both emergency and routine imaging," said Gary Cook, London Regional Sales Manager at Siemens. "The enormous flexibility of the SOMATOM Definition AS and AS+ models improves workflow and enables the integration of CT-imaging into the clinical care process in virtually all clinical and patient situations."

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion, orders of €10.27 billion and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare

About Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is among the top 5% NHS trusts in the country, and 1 of the best 3 hospitals in London, according to the Healthcare Commission's annual NHS performance ratings 2007 - see http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk

Siemens Healthcare

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