HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Officials with Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) announced the acquisition of new medical equipment designed to improve the hospital’s patient care.

Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the HRMC Radiology Department has completed installation of the SOMATOM CT scanner which will increase the speed of patient imaging while reducing examination time.

“HRMC is experiencing an increasing need for imaging services and with the new unit, we now have two CT scanners,” Johnson said. “During the past two months, our Radiology Department scanners performed as many as 40 CT scans in a 24-hour period.”

Also, Johnson announced the hospital has purchased a Lithotripter that will be used to treat patients afflicted with kidney stones.

Previously, HRMC used a rented Lithotripter as needed when treating approximately 125 patients annually who were dealing with kidney stones.

“The new Lithotripter will create opportunities to expand treatment options within our service area,” Johnson said.

The unit utilizes a high-resolution X-Ray system which images the stone while the Lithotripter pulverizes stones as large as 2.5 centimeters (one inch in length) in a non-invasive manner.

“Staying on top of the latest advancements is a priority and these equipment purchases place Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System on the cutting edge of today’s technology,” Johnson continued.

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is an entity of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. Other entities are Health-E-Quip, Horizons Mental Health Center, Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, and Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation.