Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital partners with Canon Medical to reduce anxiety over scans
Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Brighton, has partnered with Canon Medical Systems UK to help reduce the anxiety patients may feel before, during and after a scan. The aim was to reimagine the whole x-ray experience, which included transforming the hospital’s fluoroscopy suite into a welcoming, comfortable and potentially fun place for children while delivering advanced diagnostic imaging via the new Ultimax-i x-ray system.
Managed by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and located in the grounds of the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital serves the local population, as well as being a tertiary referral centre for children across the south-east. It provides a 24-hour, year-round fluoroscopy service for newborns to 17-year-olds requiring specialist diagnostic scans.
The children’s hospital selected Canon to create a visually welcoming scanning environment to house the Ultimax-i system. To appeal to children, many of whom have additional needs, the renovation included an under-the-sea theme featuring sea creatures and a sub-marine, LED mood lighting to create a calming atmosphere, and a ceiling-mounted inter-active projector featuring 50 different games and challenges for children to enjoy before and after their scan. Trust lead consultant paediatric radiologist Dr Kyriakos Iliadis said: “Feedback has been immensely positive from everyone who has encountered the new system and the new fluoroscopy suite, from radiographers to consultants but, most importantly, patients. The combination of the new x-ray system in its under-the-sea setting provides the very best experience we could hope for. Often, the children are having so much fun, they do not want to leave.”
By optimising workflow space, the Ultimax-i allows for more complex scans and procedures to take place without reconfiguration of floor space. A multi-directional C-arm and adjustable tilting table give clinicians ergonomic access to the patient. Meanwhile, light beam diaphragm functionality ensures greater precision for centring and collimation. Offering clinicians a more complete and accurate patient view, the Ultimax-i reduces the need for patient movement and multiple images to be taken, improving overall operator workflow and ensuring patient comfort and safety. The system includes DoseRite, a comprehensive dose management suite to minimise patient x-ray exposure.
The refurbishment was made possible through funding from My University Hospitals Sussex, the dedicated charity for NHS hospitals in Sussex.
Pictures: Young patients are enjoying the underwater-themed fluoroscopy suite.
Read this report on page 18 of the December 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.
