A new 50-foot trailer will travel between three VCU Health locations to provide state-of-the-art, rapid scans for patients waiting for cancer screenings.
By scanning the whole body in under 17 minutes, about half the time of a traditional scan, the mobile, digital PET/CT scanner makes it easier and quicker for patients to get screened and be put on a treatment plan.
PET/CT scans are advanced tools used in cancer care to provide an accurate picture of a tumor. Unlike regular scans, PET/CT uses a special tracer to highlight areas of high metabolic activity, helping doctors find and understand tumors better. The exceptionally high-clarity images are often used to determine the best course of treatment for patients.
“We are grateful to VCU Health’s Strategic Initiatives Team,” VCU Medical Center President Michael Roussos said. “They have worked hard over the past 18 months to identify areas where we can increase access to care. VCU is dedicated to bringing the highest quality care to Virginians across the state.”
Beyond a faster, more accurate way to track cancer in a patient, the technology is on wheels. The trailer travels between VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital and VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital every week. In fall 2024, VCU Health’s Stony Point Campus will join the rotation. The traveling PET/CT not only addresses patient wait times, but will also expand each medical facilities’ capacity to do advanced scans in the coming months. The innovation aligns with the mission of VCU Health and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center to reduce health inequities for all patients.
“By making advanced diagnostic tools more accessible to patients in various communities across the state, we reduce the travel burden for our patients while ensuring they get a timely and accurate diagnosis close to home,” Roussos said.
The new trailer began operation in late June 2024.
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Rebecca Barnabi
