HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-10-03, Page 8Page 8 The Huron Expositor • October 3, 2007
News
PACS 'a wonderful tool' worth funding, says doctor
Annual radiothon hopes to complete first stage of fundraising for new technology
Susan H u n d e r t m a r k
After eight months of using the
new PACS (Picture Archiving
Communications System) at
Seaforth Community Hospital, Dr.
Dan Rooyakkers is thrilled by the
benefits of the technology.
"PACS is working fantastically.
It's a great success with so many
different stories," he says.
And, as Seaforth participates for
the third year in the CKNX
Healthcare Heroes Radiothon,
Rooyakkers is hoping the public
realizes "what a fantastic thing
they're donating for."
PACS technology allows diagnos-
tic tests, including nuclear medi-
cine, CT scans, x-rays and ultra-
sounds to be produced with digital
images, which can then be trans-
ferred electronically.
Rooyakkers says that over the
summer, many trauma patients
were able to have digital x-rays of
fractures looked at by orthopedic
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specialists throughout
Southwestern Ontario without the
patients having to travel from
Seaforth.
"It's a wonderful tool for patients.
They get access to doctors who are
able to share their opinions and
decide on a course of management
without having to run across the
area," he says.
While the PACS network is help-
ful with trauma injuries, it also
helps with cancer patients as well,
allowing specialists in London to
decide on a course of treatment
sometimes even before seeing the
patient.
Rooyakkers says PACS is helping
to make financial savings in fewer
ambulance transfers and timelier
treatments that prevent further
care. As well, patients and their
families are saving the money it
takes to travel to specialists.
After raising $123,500 so far
towards the PACS technology that
came online in Seaforth in
February, the Seaforth hospital
foundation is hoping to raise the
rest of the $213,283 goal by the end
of 2007.
Seaforth's radiothon organizer
Sheila Morton says a local goal of
$50,000 has been set again this year
to be raised the day of the radiothon
on Oct. 20.
"I'm very positive about this com-
munity. This is an excellent commu-
nity and people are very generous,"
she says, adding that the motto for
this year's campaign is "We give a
little, we all get a lot."
Although Stratford Festival actor
Lucy Peacock has been the honorary
radiothon chair for the past two
years, she's unable to make it this
year.
"Lucy is doing a one -woman show
in Ottawa that day so she can't
come and we can't find anyone to fill
her shoes," says Morton, adding
that Peacock is interested in partici-
pating again in the Seaforth radio-
thon next year.
She says $4,000 has already been
raised with a silent auction at the
Blyth Festival in September.
As well, the foundation has sent
letters to over 300 businesses in
Huron East asking them to donate
during the radiothon.
"The letters have gone out to 10
times more businesses this year
than last. Everyone uses the hospi-
tal and the government does not
fund capital equipment at the hospi-
tal," she says.
Once the PACS goal has been
reached, Morton says the founda-
tion will begin fundraising for the
second phase, a new $350,000 x-ray
machine.
"It's a five-year plan. And, the
PACS system is already really
enhancing patient care," she says.
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