Second CT scanner operational at Burnaby Hospital

People in Burnaby can benefit from increased access to computed tomography (CT) scans as a second scanner at Burnaby Hospital is open to patients.

A CT scanner is an essential diagnostic tool that allows health-care workers to see inside the body to detailed images of organs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels.

The existing CT scanner at Burnaby Hospital currently scans more than 20,000 patients per year. The second CT scanner is expected to provide an additional 8,500 scans in 2022, with increasing volumes in the following years.

The CT scanner was installed in late December 2021 with technologist training and initial start-up taking place in January 2022. The new CT scanner officially opened to patients on January 15, 2022. In under a month, 550 scans have already been completed.

“Diagnostic medical imaging can help with prompt diagnosis and early access to treatment, improving patient experience and to getting people back to the activities they enjoy,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, president and chief executive officer for Fraser Health. “I am grateful to the Fraser Health teams who worked in partnership with the Burnaby Hospital Foundation and the City of Burnaby. I appreciate the generously from our community partners.”

Burnaby Hospital Foundation has contributed $1.5 million towards the project, including a generous $1-million contribution from the City of Burnaby.

“A CT scan helps speed up diagnosis so people can receive quick treatment and get back to their families and favourite activities sooner. The City of Burnaby understood how adding a second CT scanner at Burnaby Hospital would reduce wait times and have a lasting, positive impact on the health of our residents. We are proud to support the Burnaby Hospital Foundation in making this possible,” Mayor Hurley, City of Burnaby.

“We are thrilled to see this project come to fruition, particularly given the pandemic’s widespread impact on hospital upgrades and expansions,” says Kristy James, chief executive officer of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. “We can’t thank our donors enough and we are so grateful to the City of Burnaby for its contribution of $1 million toward this project. We look forward to the positive impact it will have on the health of people in Burnaby for many years to come.”