Part of the new X-ray equipment in the recently renovated Northills Centre Medical Imaging Clinic. (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Silvia Senna)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

MEDICAL SCANS IN KAMLOOPS

New imaging equipment at Northills Clinic taking pressure off hospital scan demands

Dec 14, 2023 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Brand new X-ray imaging equipment and a bone density scanner were recently added to the renovated Northills Centre Medical Imaging Clinic in Kamloops, and it’s already made a difference in taking pressure off of the amount of imaging done through the hospital.

The X-ray machine was bought by the provincial government, while the bone density scanner was purchased by the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation.

Medical Imaging Director Kim Perris says the community has already been making good use of the new machines and space.

“We’ve heard from our patients that they absolutely love our new space, the technologists are really enjoying the new equipment,” Perris told CFJC Today.

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The clinic reopening also reduces the amount of people going to the hospital to get non-emergency scans.

“Definitely we’re taking pressure off the hospital. Absolutely.” says Perris.

The bone density scanner is the only one in the region and the clinic is scanning around 18 people per day with the new machine. The X-ray currently scans between 30 and 40 people per day and has the ability to take on even more.

“This machine also uses less radiation than the older machine would have used,” noted Perris. “And just with all of that and combined with the new software we get even better quality images.”

For technologists, it’s now a smoother operation. Less time to get image results, and the machines are easier to maneuver.

“With the new machine, the analysis is a lot better because the pictures are a lot better,” explained technologist Miriah Oswald. “It’s a good machine for that.”

It’s taken some time, but the clinic says it’s glad to have the state-of-the-art equipment up and running for the thousands of area residents who will need it.

“The transit exchange is right here so if people need to bus in, it’s very convenient. Like I say, free parking,” says Perris. “I mean, hey, I’d come here.”

The Northills Centre Medical Imaging is now open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 42-700 Tranquille Road.