Anna Jaques Hospital Advances Diagnostic Imaging Services with New CT Scanner
Addition of Second Device Will Further Access, Care in the Community
Newburyport, MA – Anna Jaques Hospital has introduced its second state-of-the-art CT scanner, further positioning the hospital to provide enhanced imaging capabilities and more specialized testing to the community.
Glenn Focht, MD, president of Anna Jaques Hospital, said the investment in the addition of a second new CT scanner within a year underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing extraordinary care to its patients close to home.
“The arrival of a second CT scanner brings Anna Jaques’ imaging capabilities to the next level,” Focht said. “Having two of the most technologically advanced scanners available will further our ability to perform an array of enhanced diagnostic imaging, while still providing emergency scans as needed for patients. This is a significant advancement for our hospital and our patients.”
The new computed tomography tool offers patients the opportunity for advanced cardiac imaging; coronary angiograms, a procedure that uses X-ray imaging to view the heart’s blood vessels; coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, which measures the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries to detect potential cardiovascular disease; and low-dose CT lung scans in keeping with new American Cancer Society guidelines for smokers and former smokers.
At an open house and ribbon cutting celebrating the new technology on April 1, hospital leaders and professional staff joined with state legislators and community supporters to highlight the benefits the new scanner provides the community.
“We are delighted that we are able as part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health system to bring the best of care right here closer to you,” Grace Connolly, president of the Anna Jaques Hospital Board of Trustees, said. “This does not happen without a significant investment of capital. It is tremendously important to our community and speaks to our commitment of extraordinary care.”
State Senate Minority Leader, Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, said the arrival of the second CT scanner represents “an incredibly important day” for Anna Jaques Hospital and the surrounding communities.
“This is a significant benchmark that really reflects the positive direction that Anna Jaques Hospital is going in,” Tarr said. “Being able to have enough imaging capability with this CT scanner so the regular flow of treatment is not interrupted for emergent care is absolutely critical.”
Tarr added that the investment highlights the importance of Anna Jaques being part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, allowing patients to receive a full spectrum of integrated care at the right place and at the right time.
“Things like this are much more difficult to accomplish when you stand on your own,” Tarr said. “When you are part of a spectrum of care, you see these tools being provided at the community level where great treatment can happen, while we reserve more specific and intensive care for the other facilities that are also part of the BILH system.”
Tarr was joined at the open house by fellow state legislators Rep. Dawne Shand (First Essex District), Rep. Adrianne Ramos (14th Essex District) and Rep. Kristin Kassner (Second Essex District).
Jane Kerr, MD, president of the medical staff at Anna Jaques and a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, said the new CT scanner will benefit all aspects of care in all departments, allowing the hospital to serve additional patients while improving the experience for existing patients. Board of Trustees Vice Chair Jean Trim and Finance Committee Chair Timothy Felter also applauded the new technology.
Connolly recognized Beth Israel Lahey Health and Anna Jaques leadership as well as the hospital’s diagnostic imaging team, including Karen Kelleher, the hospital’s director of diagnostic imaging; Diana Odoardi, CT scan supervisor; and Sean Ahern, senior director of clinical services, for their efforts. She also thanked Amesbury Fire Chief James Nolan and Deputy Fire Chief David Mather along with Robert White, director of operations for Cataldo Ambulance, who were in attendance, for their support.
As part of the regulatory process for the approval of the new CT scanner, Anna Jaques recently announced a three-year, $82,000 grant to Link House Inc. to support mental health and substance use services in the region.
About Anna Jaques Hospital
Anna Jaques Hospital is a 119-bed not-for-profit community hospital serving the Merrimack Valley, North Shore and Southern New Hampshire. With 1,200 employees and more than 200 physicians on staff, Anna Jaques is recognized for delivering high quality community health care with an emphasis on patient satisfaction.
Anna Jaques Hospital is a part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a health care system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians, and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through ground-breaking research and education.
