Akron Children’s PET/CT scanner is the only one in Ohio to offer the Philips Ambient Experience, which helps create a calming atmosphere for patients with special lighting, soothing sounds and a large video screen.
Akron Children’s is excited to announce the addition of on-site PET (positron emission tomography) scans to its radiology services.
According to Dr. Michael Rubin, chair, pediatric radiology, “For a children’s hospital of our size, this was the one imaging modality that we didn’t offer. We had patients who needed PET scans, but we couldn’t perform them in-house.
“The new scanner eliminates the need for our patients to travel to another facility for testing, allowing us to offer a more streamlined and efficient experience,” he added. “It’s especially useful for inpatients or those requiring sedation.”
The scanner, which was manufactured by GE, features both PET and CT (computed tomography) capabilities to create detailed images of both function and anatomy within the body. This allows doctors to pinpoint the location of abnormalities, such as tumors or areas of inflammation, with greater precision.
Danica Wilson, age 17, was Akron Children’s first onsite PET scan patient. Danica used the ambient experience in the room where she received her IV to help her relax and have less anxiety before the procedure started.
Dr. Paul Wong, pediatric radiologist, said, “We chose the GE model because it’s the preferred technology by many children’s hospitals. This consistency allows for easier collaboration and knowledge sharing with other pediatric specialists nationwide.”
“PET/CT scans can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions in children,” said Dr. Rubin. “Most commonly we use them for epilepsy workups to pinpoint seizure locations, diagnosing and monitoring tumors and identifying infections.”
Kelly Gabele, radiology administrative director, said, “The new PET/CT scanner features technology that utilizes deep learning to enhance image resolution, allowing for the detection of smaller and less visible lesions.”
Akron Children’s PET/CT scanner is the only one in Ohio to offer the Philips Ambient Experience, which helps create a calming atmosphere for patients with special lighting, soothing sounds and a large video screen.
Akron Children’s scanner, which is manufactured by GE, features both PET and CT (computed tomography) capabilities to create detailed images of both function and anatomy within the body. This allows doctors to pinpoint the location of abnormalities, such as tumors or areas of inflammation, with greater precision.
“When patients enter the room, they will be able to pick a theme via a tablet mounted on the wall,” said Kelly. “They can also connect their personal device to watch their own content.”
The ambient experience is available both during the scan and in the intake room where the patient receives their IV to help them relax and have less anxiety before the procedure starts. A survey conducted by Philips showed an 80% reduction rate in sedation and a 70% reduction in the need for rescans with the technology.
“Having this equipment onsite offers greater scheduling flexibility, allowing us to accommodate both inpatients and outpatients, including those who may require sedation,” said Dr. Wong. “This eliminates delays and ensures patients receive the care they need promptly.”
Having a PET scanner onsite eliminates the need for Akron Children’s patients to travel to another facility for testing, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient experience for both inpatients and outpatients.
With the new scanner, PET and CT scans can be performed consecutively, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment planning. Previously, results could take several days because they were being sent from another facility.
“We’re confident that this new technology will be a valuable asset in providing the best possible care for our patients,” said Dr. Rubin. “It underscores Akron Children’s ongoing commitment to providing the most advanced and innovative imaging technology available for our patients.”
PET scan appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Akron campus.
