Frye Regional Medical Center’s 512-Slice CT Scanner Enhances Imaging Services for Patients in the Catawba Valley Region

HICKORY, NC (October 10, 2023) – Frye Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital, recently installed a 512-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner to provide sharper images while reducing exposure to radiation. The new CT scanner is part of the hospital’s six-month cardiac catheterization expansion project, which also includes a hybrid operating room that combines an image-guided interventional suite and advanced surgical technology in one place.

“Our new CT scanner delivers high-definition imaging across the entire body, helping physicians make a confident diagnosis across all applications,” said Matt Dyson, MD, a board-certified radiologist and chief medical director for radiology at Frye Regional Medical Center. “This technology will allow us to perform a cardiac scan in a single heartbeat and whole brain imaging in less than a second, which can be lifesaving for emergency room patients and other complex cases.”

With the convergence of whole organ coverage, image quality and speed found in the latest-generation CT scanner, Frye Regional’s physicians are now able to diagnose even the most challenging cases. The technology will enable clinicians to diagnose more patients with erratic or high heartbeats; and provides patients with low-dose scanning capabilities for cancer diagnosis and follow-up, among other clinical advances. It also allows for detailed bone imaging, even for patients with metal implants.

CT is a non-invasive and expedient way to look inside the body at organs, soft tissues, vascular structures and bones using x-rays to generate high-resolution images of the body. It does this by rotating an x-ray source and detector around the patient as the patient is moved through the device.

The wide coverage of Frye Regional’s 512-Slice CT system allows healthcare providers to scan entire organs such as the brain, heart, liver and pancreas in a single 0.28 sec rotation, reducing breath hold times for patients. Additionally, the speed of this new technology allows providers to gather information about function as well as anatomy, enabling a comprehensive stroke assessment of the brain in a single exam, for example.

According to Josh Williams, R.R.A., RT(R), director of imaging services at Frye Regional, the 512-slice CT scanner helps deliver a better patient experience during the procedures. “Patient anxiety may be reduced with 50% quieter scanning than previous generation CTs. It can also comfortably accommodate larger patients with its 80 cm wide bore size. Additionally, patients may not be required to take special medication to slow their heart rate for a diagnostic cardiac exam due to the CT scanner’s fast imaging speed,” Williams said.

Construction is also nearing completion for Frye Regional Medical Center’s new cardiac catheterization lab and hybrid operating room (OR). While the concept of a hybrid OR is not entirely new to healthcare, the expanded scope will allow Frye Regional physicians to perform complex open heart surgical procedures with a minimally invasive approach.

“We are proud to bring 512-slice CT scanning and other advanced capabilities to the Catawba Valley region as part of our multifaceted cardiovascular expansion project,” said Philip Greene, MD, chief executive officer of Frye Regional Medical Center. “This is another example of our commitment to seeking innovative technologies and treatments that contribute to healthcare excellence for our community. Our ability to diagnose more patients with heart disease, stroke, cancer, and bone and joint problems is a significant achievement.”

For more information or a physician referral, call 828-315-3391 or visit MyFryeRegional.com.