Friday, October 21, 2011

Frisbie Memorial Hospital First in the Nation to Install High Quality Imaging at Low Radiation Dose


ROCHESTER—
Frisbie Memorial Hospital has announced the installation of a powerful and compact Computed Tomography (CT) system offering improvements from earlier CT models in diagnostic capabilities at low dose levels – up to 40 percent lower compared to an average medical facility – and designed for sustainability and ease-of-use. General Electric’s (GE) Optima CT660 enables fast, high performance imaging for patients in a variety of clinical settings, including cardiac, neurological, emergency room and routine CT scans. The Optima CT660, which is scalable up to 128 slices, replaces Frisbie Memorial’s 64-slice CT scan.
To publicly announce the installation of this new cutting-edge technology, representatives from GE Healthcare will be arriving from locations throughout the country to be onsite at Frisbie Memorial Hospital on October 26, 2011. This official launch recognizes Frisbie Memorial as the first facility in the United States to install the Optima CT660 system. In addition, Frisbie Memorial Hospital will be designated as GE’s official Optima CT660 “show site.” Hospitals nation-wide will have the opportunity to visit Frisbie Memorial to learn more about the Opitma CT660’s advanced diagnostic capabilities.
Already in use at hundreds of sites across Europe, Latin America and Asia, Frisbie Memorial is the first hospital in the United States to install GE’s Optima CT660 that is both ecomagination and healthymagination-certified, two of GE’s global initiatives aimed at transforming healthcare delivery through innovation, partnerships and sustainability. As a result, Frisbie Memorial Hospital patients now have access to quality CT imaging with a reduced dose of radiation.
“Frisbie Memorial Hospital is committed to providing our patients with the highest quality CT images at the lowest radiation dose possible. This new scanner gives us the latest tools available to accomplish that,” states Carrie Aubut RT(R) (CT), Lead CT Technologist at Frisbie Memorial Hospital. The lower dose was confirmed during acceptance testing by Frisbie Memorial’s Health Physicist, Arthur Savard, Ph.D., DABMP, Cardinal Medical Physics Services. His report stated, “Radiation dose was remarkably low. I would suggest doing pediatric patients on this unit.”
Moreover, from an operational standpoint, this new equipment makes good business sense for Frisbie Memorial.
“The Optima CT660 is an ideal replacement for our VCT 64. No room or wiring changes were needed. It provides safer scans, faster patient set-up and uses less electricity. Our scanning quality and efficiency go up, and operating costs go down. Exactly what we need to do in this economy,” said Dean DeMaster, RT(N), CNMT, MBA, Director of Imaging Services at Frisbie Memorial.
An ecomagination-certified product, GE’s Optima CT660 is also among the world’s most energy efficient Volume CT systems, using about 60 percent less energy than earlier scanners. Additionally, its lighter weight reduces transportation costs while its environmental design addresses refurbishment and end-of-life recycling. In line with Frisbie Memorial’s Go Green initiatives, which include hospital-wide recycling and energy conservation efforts, all components of the Optima CT660 are completely recyclable at end of life.
GE’s Optima CT660 features advanced tools to use less radiation while enhancing imaging quality. Standard on the Optima CT660, “Dose Check” technology notifies and alerts CT users prior to scanning if the estimated dose is above their institution’s set values, requires explicit user authority checks when estimated dose exceeds the alert value, enables specifically-defined pediatric and adult alert values, and provides for audit logging, review, and protocol change control capabilities. Frisbie Memorial currently uses GE’s Featherlight software so that pediatric patients receive low-dose radiation.
Photo caption: Frisbie Memorial Hospital will be the first in the United States to install General Electric’s Optima CT660 computed tomography system. (Courtesy photo)

Legends, Lore and Mystery with New England Curiosities’ Roxie Zwicker


RYE—
Families can get together for a hauntingly good time at the Seacoast Science Center on Thursday, October 27 at 5:30 p.m. The evening will kick off with a family-style dinner. Children will then Trick-or-Treat around the darkened Center, using bags they have decorated.
Then, two different age-appropriate activities will be offered. Young children can enjoy supervised seasonal stories and games at the Center. Older children (appropriate for ages 8 and up) can walk to the Odiorne Family graveyard with their parents, where Roxie Zwicker awaits. She will tell us about the hidden-away graveyard: the oldest in New Hampshire! She will regale us with local legends­—suitable for the season and the family. Be among the first to hear the specially prepared tales Roxie will tell based on research about the graveyard and legends of Odiorne and our coast.
This is the first of the Center’s Heritage Dinner Series to be planned just for families. Costumes are encouraged, but remember to dress for the weather and the walk! Some flashlights will be available, but best to bring your own. This is a rain or shine event: it may be entirely inside if necessary.
As founder of New England Curiosities, Roxie has been sharing her stories of New England legends and lore since 1993. She has captivated national audiences in person, as well as on television and radio. She will be autographing her books (available in the Nature Store) this evening.
The cost for evening is $10/adult, $5/child for members; $15/adult, $6/child for non-members and includes beverages and family fare. Please send checks made payable to Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, NH 03870 or contact Nichole at 603-436-8043, ext. 26 or n.rutherford@seacentr.org to sign up.
Photo caption: (Courtesy photo of Roxie Zwicker)

Chamber of Commerce & Dover Listens to Host Candidate Forums

DOVER—
The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce will present a series of candidate forums for residents to gain knowledge about candidates running for public office in the November 8th elections. There will be forums dedicated to the School Board, City Council and the Mayoral races.
The Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Candidate Forum will be held on Monday, October 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Dover City Hall. The City Council Candidate Forums will immediately follow, beginning at approximately 7:00 p.m. Each Ward, as well as At Large Candidates, will be separated into their own forums.
The Chamber of Commerce School Board Candidate Forum will take place on Thursday, October 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the School Board Chamber in the McConnell Center, room 306.
In addition to the Candidate Forums, on Tuesday, October 25, Dover Listens will be hosting Community Conversations from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rivermill at Dover Landing. The conversation format will give candidates the opportunity to hear from constituents about what they would like from their representatives.
At the Chamber of Commerce Forums, candidates will be given the opportunity to make opening and closing statements and will be asked a series of questions developed by the Forum Committee. The Dover Listens Community Conversations will be more of a small group, facilitated dialogue between residents and candidates.
Don Briand, News Director of WOKQ 97.5 will moderate this year’s Chamber of Commerce forums. All Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forums will be broadcast live on Dover’s local Channel 22 with multiple rebroadcasts likely.