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Date Published: Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Date Updated: Friday, June 30, 2023

Bon Secours Charity Health System Surpasses $5 Million in New Equipment and Technology

Latest in a Series of Upgrades -- Advanced CT System -- Enhances Accuracy of Radiation Therapy at Good Samaritan Hospital

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SUFFERN, N.Y. (August 8, 2018) – Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), has announced the acquisition of the Philips CT Big Bore System. This new, class-leading diagnostic equipment will help improve patient outcomes by enhancing accuracy through patient positioning, imaging performance and speed to treatment. Good Samaritan Hospital is the only hospital in Rockland and Orange counties with this game-changing equipment.

 

Mary P. Leahy, MD, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, New York State Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee; Patrick J. Schmincke, Chief Operating Officer, Bon Secours Charity Health System; John Rescigno, MD, Director of Radiation Oncology at Good Samaritan Hospital, and representatives of Good Samaritan Hospital and Philips cut the ribbon for the CT Big Bore System.

 The new technology is the latest in several equipment and technology investment projects initiated by the Bon Secours Charity Health System. In the past few months, more than $5.5 million has been invested in equipment at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, all of which are in the Bon Secours Charity Health System and members of WMCHealth.

"These investments are enabling us to deliver on our mission of being the leading provider of community health services, with a focus on redefining how quality care is delivered in areas such as radiology, cardiology, neurology and obstetrics & gynecology," said Mary Leahy, MD, CEO, Bon Secours Charity Health System. "We are seeing a significant reduction in technology and service spending, while enhancing productivity, optimizing performance and improving clinical quality."

Why the Big Bore is an Exciting Addition

The CT Big Bore's large opening allows for more movement and flexibility, and in turn, the therapists can capture the images and information needed to accurately prescribe advanced techniques like IMRT and arc treatments.

"The Phillips CT Big Bore's superior image quality and large field-of-view help improve treatment plans by accurately identifying the target treatment area and improving patient safety by ensuring healthy tissue is spared unnecessary radiation," said John Rescigno, MD, Director of Radiation Oncology at Good Samaritan Hospital.

In addition to ensuring precise positioning, the system is equipped with high-speed imaging software that allows technicians to cover larger areas in the fastest amount of time. The advanced imaging tool kit reduces the time it takes for scanned images to be reconstructed, which leads to faster evaluation and treatment. The technology also makes it possible for clinicians to "mark" an area for treatment and then initiate therapy via one workstation.

"The design and features allow us to accommodate bariatric patients. We can comfortably and safely treat all patients while obtaining high-quality images regardless of the patient's size or position," said Rescigno.

Investments in Community Health

In addition to the CT Big Bore, the Azurion 3D angiography imaging technology was introduced at Good Samaritan Hospital earlier this year. Also a TrueBeam Accelerator that is critical in discerning healthy tissue from tumor tissue, was also installed. A Cardio-Respiratory Central Monitoring System was upgraded in the Good Samaritan Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit while its Labor & Delivery Department received a central monitoring station and new wireless patient monitors. A dedicated OB-GYN emergency department was also opened.

At St. Anthony Community Hospital, equipment upgrades included installation of patient monitors and an ultrasound machine for the Birthing Center.

In addition to the technology investments, in May Bon Secours Charity Health System and WMCHealth celebrated New York State approval for a $40 million project at Bon Secours Community Hospital that will transform healthcare delivery in the City of Port Jervis and its surrounding areas. The project includes an expanded emergency department, new imaging equipment and the development of 43,000 square-feet of space into the heart of a Port Jervis "medical village" where Bon Secours Community Hospital will collaborate with community partners to provide health, wellness and other community services, such as women's health, mental health, pediatrics and overall wellness, in one convenient destination.

For more information about radiation oncology, please call (845) 368-5185 or visit goodsamhosp.org/imaging-cancer. To learn more about our radiation program, call (845) 368-5000, extension 6125 or visit goodsamhosp.org/imaging.