Improved Diagnostic Services at Children’s Hospital

Diagnostic services at the Bustamante Hospital for Children have been improved with the installation of a new $68.5-million fluoroscopy unit.

The unit, which is the second of its kind in the public sector and the first for children, is also expected to reduce the processing time for X-rays from 90 to 15 minutes.

A fluoroscopy unit consists of a specialised X-ray machine that produces real-time moving images that can be viewed on a TV-type monitor. It will assist in the diagnosing of problems that affect the inner organs, such as the stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder,

Speaking at the official commissioning ceremony at the hospital’s Arthur Wint Drive location on September 8, Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said this will assist in the Government’s drive to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare in the country.

Dr. Tufton said since the start of the year, some 30,501 X-rays have been done at the hospital, adding that between January and December last year, the number of X-rays done was 21,516.

He lauded the various organisations for their continued support to the development of the hospital, such as the National Health Fund (NHF).

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President, Information and Communication Technology, National Health Fund (NHF), Granville Gayle, said acquisition of the unit will make a great difference in the lives of children admitted as well as outpatients through early detection, early diagnosis and prompt intervention.

For his part, Board Chairman, South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Phillip Armstrong, said the unit will allow doctors and nurses to better manage client care through better patient safety, and reduce staff dislocation.

He said prior to receiving the unit, the services had to be outsourced to private facilities.

The NHF provided support for the purchasing and installation of the unit, while SERHA renovated the room that houses the unit.

Bustamante Hospital for Children is the only specialist children’s hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean and caters to patients from birth to 12 years, providing a comprehensive range of diagnostic, preventative, curative, rehabilitative and ambulatory services offered in paediatric medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.