Equipment donations help Mercy Ships deliver CT imaging

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Mercy Ships donation

International health charity Mercy Ships operates two hospital ships that take free, life-changing surgery to patients in sub-Saharan Africa, where safe surgery is out of reach for nine out of 10 people.

Onboard the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy charity hospital ships, a crew of experts including surgeons, nurses, cooks, engineers and teachers from around the world volunteer their time and skills.

In partnership with African nations, the organisation trains healthcare professionals and builds stronger medical services locally.

UK NHS CT lead radiographer Martha Henderson has worked with the charity onboard the ships and on land, first as a diagnostic radiographer and more recently as manager of radiology services. Her radiology department faces unique yet rewarding challenges: “I couldn’t imagine a place with a higher impact,” she said.

Radiology plays a crucial role in the process, as the initial step in diagnosis for many of these patients. With severe pathology it can be difficult to accurately position patients in preparation for their CT scan. To allow a high patient throughput and to safeguard hygiene requirements in the radiology department, Swiss company Pearl Technology has donated modern CT table covers and Velcro-free patient straps. These specially designed straps ensure the patient feels safe and comfortable during the scan, which is particularly important when scanning children.

Henderson and her team use the straps to safely secure patients in position while obtaining images of a high diagnostic standard. Not having Velcro on the straps has proven to be a game-changer, says Pearl Technology, particularly in terms of infection control. With CT foam table cushions potentially losing their shape, the robust table cover has made operations quicker and protects the table from bodily fluids. Ease of cleaning and maintenance has allowed radiographers to focus more on delivering patient care rather than equipment upkeep.

With two hospital ships now in operation, Mercy Ships is more in need of volunteers than ever. Find out about the life-changing volunteer opportunities available onboard: mercyships.org.uk/volunteer.

Picture: A patient in one of the Mercy Ships CT rooms. ©2024 Mercy Ships/Tirsa Tapia Zamora.

Published on page 3 of the May 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.

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