American Family Children's Hospital: New imaging pavilion pioneers ultra-low-dose radiation options
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Toni Morrissey, (608) 263-3223, (608) 576-6456, tmorrissey@uwhealth.org
MADISON- American Family Children’s Hospital is the first children’s hospital in the world to offer new, lower-dose radiation technology with the opening of an imaging pavilion and multi-specialty pediatric hybrid suite including space for catheterization, angioplasty, and operating rooms. Siemens, the manufacturer of the low-dose pediatric Q.Zen equipment, said while other hospitals are in the process of installing the equipment, American Family Children’s Hospital is the first to use it.
The hospital began taking patients in the new facility today.
The imaging technology, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February, 2013, offers high-resolution, high-quality images with a radiation exposure reduction up to 60 percent. Imaging methods offered in the suite are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluoroscopy and ultrasound. Before the pavilion became operational, children needing imaging services were sent to UW Hospital and Clinics.
“As the first children’s hospital to offer this advanced technology, we think American Family Children’s Hospital will serve as a model for other children’s hospitals,” said Jeff Poltawsky, vice president of the children’s hospital. “At the same time that we offer advanced clinical care, we’ll also participate in research studies that demonstrate the enhanced safety benefit to patients.”
The imaging pavilion cost $13.5 million and was funded by the “Sick Kids Can’t Wait” campaign.
The imaging pavilion and hybrid suite are part of a “universal room concept” that will include treatment of congenital heart disease; electrophysiology to correct heart arrhythmias; neurovascular diseases like aneurysms, vascular malformations and strokes; and tumors that require image-directed biopsies.
“This is a wonderful model for achieving maximum use and productivity for the investment in state-of-the-art technology because pediatric cardiologists, interventional radiologists and neuroendovascular specialists will share the equipment,” said Poltawsky.
