Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus Secures Mobile CT Unit

Timely response to care for the community and teamwork at the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus resulted in a mobile computed tomography (CT) unit being installed Thursday at the hospital and rural health clinic to provide CT scans for patients until the hospital CT scanner can be replaced.

The Stormont Vail team members at the Flint Hills campus quickly went into action to develop a plan after the hospital CT scanner was damaged by a water leak earlier in the month.

CT scanners play a crucial role in medicine and especially in hospitals, by providing detailed images of inside the body, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. CT scans offer images that allow for a more comprehensive examination of complex organs and tissues, empowering our providers to deliver the best possible care.

A plan for the mobile CT unit required a multi-department approach. The IT department installed new wiring for the unit to access, the facilities department constructed a walkthrough tunnel from the building to where the unit would be parked, and administration secured the mobile unit for use.

While waiting for the mobile CT to arrive, patients with appointments for outpatient CT scans were temporarily shifted to Stormont Vail’s Manhattan Campus instead of having to postpone or drive to a location outside of the region. The teams at Flint Hills Campus and Manhattan Campus support the region and work diligently to find solutions that keep patient care close to home.

“This was truly us functioning as a regional healthcare system and not as an isolated independent hospital as in the past. We received full support from the Topeka and Manhattan Campuses immediately,” said Connie Wagers, Regional Director of Procedural and Ambulatory Services. “Stormont Vail understands the importance of having this service available. Whether it’s for stroke patients, or patients with higher acuity needing a CT scan, we realize how hard it would be on the community without one.”

By using a system similar to what the imaging department is familiar with, training will be expedited. The mobile CT unit was installed at the Flint Hills Campus Thursday, with plans to get in use soon.