New equipment at Stone County Hospital delivers
Christmas-like excitement all year

  The excitement of opening gifts on Christmas Day was felt all year long in the Radiology Department at Stone County Hospital and Clinic. Santa came several times, bringing new diagnostic equipment, including a full-digital GE Mobile X-Ray system, a general purpose radiographic system, an OEC C-arm and a GE CT Machine. This was all in addition to the new Open MRI announcement in September. The addition of this equipment was a major step in helping Stone County Hospital and Clinic continue to deliver the highest quality health care, right here at home.

  The new Mobile X-ray system made its arrival in January, upgrading the Hospital from analog to completely full digital capabilities, allowing for easy access to files and image sharing between physicians and departments. Also, the new machine performs more quickly than analog. The Mobile X-Ray system can be rolled anywhere in the hospital or clinic and is available 24/7. Doctors can see an image of an x-ray immediately without having to leave the patient's bedside, and the Mobile X-ray system is perfect for emergency responses.

  The new General Purpose Radiographic System features an "elevating table to ensure a patient's comfort when getting on and off the x-ray table, as well as a four-way floating tabletop to help speed patient positioning," says Sandy Sellers, director of radiology at Stone County Hospital and Clinic.  Most importantly, the new system allows for clearer imaging and quicker, more reliable results. Also with full-digital capabilities, the general purpose radiographic system is just another way Stone County Hospital is fulfilling our mission to offer great health care, right here at home.

  Another special arrival in 2011 was the mobile GE OEC 9000 Elite C-arm, a high-resolution imaging machine to help surgeons obtain precise images during surgery. Fully digital and powerful, the Elite C-arm’s advanced imaging capability allows Stone County Hospital to provide a wider variety of surgeries to more patients than ever before.

  And a final surprise, Stone County Hospital became the second hospital in the nation to receive the new GE Optima CT660 (cat scan) machine. The first hospital was Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New Hampshire, and the second machine went to Stone County Hospital and Clinic! This new machine offers great power and performance while providing comfort for patients and ease for staff members. The Optima CT660 uses less radiation with enhanced image quality and functionality.

      Of course all of this is in addition to the new Open MRI mentioned in the September newsletter. Stone County Hospital and Clinic has been thrilled to unwrap the powers of all of these new machines. Says Sellers, "We hope to broaden horizons for the hospital and offer better, faster services for the residents of Stone County. These machines bring us up-to-date with cutting edge technology so our patients can stay right here to get the best care available anywhere."