VCHS To Offer PET/CT Services

Valley County Health System (VCHS), in conjunction with Shared Medical Services, is offering a new, state-of-the-art detection and diagnostic service to patients and physicians in Ord. The PET-CT system will be available once a week beginning in August.

This new PET-CT scanner at VCHS will be used to help diagnose cancer and other diseases. The scanner provides greater sensitivity in detecting cancer cells and aids the physician throughout treatment.

PET, or positron emission tomography, uses radioactive glucose to image your body's cells. Since cancer cells use more glucose than other cells in the body, PET can reveal the presence of tumors and provide key information about whether cancer has spread, a key component of cancer treatment. CT, or computed tomography, is used to image a patient’s anatomy and can reveal abnormalities. Combined together in one machine, PET-CT helps with the early detection of diseases such as cancer. This is the only scanner of its kind being used in Nebraska today. The PET-CT scan usually takes twenty minutes with the entire appointment time lasting about an hour and a half.

“We are excited to offer this new technology and service to our patients,” says VCHS Nuclear Medicine Technologist Abby Burd, CNMT. “You will receive the same level of excellent care with comfort and compassion that is close to home.”

To learn more about the new PET-CT service call 308-728-4200.