New CT Scanner Enhances Emergency Care

Tiffany Logan, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, poses on St. John’s Health’s new CT scanner, ready to deliver cutting-edge imaging for improved patient diagnostics.

At St. John’s Health, rapid access to a CT scanner can be lifesaving for patients facing emergencies such as hemorrhages, blood clots, or potential cancer diagnoses. The first hour is critical, as timely action significantly improves survival rates and reduces the risk of long-term complications.

Previously, St. John’s Health relied on a single CT scanner—one of the busiest in the region, operating 24 hours a day and handling 35-45 scans daily. Even a few hours of downtime led to delays in crucial imaging, increasing patient risks and placing considerable stress on staff and referring providers who depend on fast diagnoses.

To address this need, St. John’s Health Foundation appealed to the community, and thanks to your generosity, a second CT scanner was acquired in early 2024.

“The additional CT scanner is a game-changer for both our team and our patients,” says Tiffany Logan, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at St. John’s Health. “It not only eases the demand on our staff and equipment but also dramatically improves patient outcomes by reducing wait times and providing immediate access to life-saving imaging. The importance of timely, accurate diagnoses cannot be overstated.”

The new CT scanner is equipped with Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D Enhanced (AIDR 3D Enhanced), PUREViSION Optics, and the PUREViSION detector, which ensure excellent image quality while minimizing radiation exposure. The scanner also includes metal artifact reduction software, which enhances image clarity even for patients with metal implants.