Increasing diagnostic capacity for CT scan by 158% and MRI by 120%

Many hospitals seek innovative ways to provide value to their various stakeholders. They must prepare for future care challenges and find ways to operate more efficiently while delivering excellent health outcomes. This requires adequate infrastructure, state-of-the-art technologies, and efficient process coordination.

Medtronic Integrated Health Solutions (IHS) makes this possible through a customized, fully integrated design and construction solution. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela in Spain (CHUS) can attest to the related impact.

One of the leading centers in Spain, CHUS is recognized internationally for its clinical cardiology activities, education, and research. There are currently four cath labs and 39 cardiologists at the hospital.

The Cardiology Department wanted to improve its diagnostic and therapeutic capacity while increasing its operational efficiency and healthcare processes.

The department aspired to be the reference center in advanced cardiac imaging (CT and MRI) while promoting teaching and research. However, this was previously unrealistic as CT and MRI resources within the hospital were limited due to the lack of specific equipment for cardiac tests.

This mainly caused long waiting lists and delays. Also, due to the unavailability of CT, tests couldn’t be performed on urgent patients from the chest pain unit. After a review period, it became evident that additional MRI and CT scan equipment was needed. However, there wasn’t adequate space. Hence, the department sought to work with a partner who could provide design and construction expertise while also incorporating new medical technology.

To address this challenge, the hospital and Medtronic IHS embarked on a four-year partnership agreement that will impact some 14,000 patients.

For CHUS, the Medtronic IHS team conducted an internal review and carried out research. Based on these findings, the team prepared a layout and design concept, considering all technical equipment requirements. The plan was shared with the multiple stakeholders involved in such an important project. This included the original equipment manufacturers, architects, engineers, the hospital technical department, IT, infrastructure, and physicians, among others. Everyone weighed in to provide the optimal patient experience.

The stakeholders ultimately aligned on a plan that involved implementing tone CT machines and tone MRI machines and expanding the space by 200 m². Medtronic IHS then worked with the hospital to secure construction permits.

The actual construction and equipment installation was finalized within six months of starting, while keeping sustainability in mind.

Very specific installations, such as structural reinforcements to support the weight of the machines, were required. Medtronic IHS helped the hospital overcome the technical difficulties of installing machines in complex spaces. In addition, Medtronic IHS worked to consider the patients’ wellbeing by providing comfortable spaces, natural light, indirect lighting, and backlit panels that include visually comforting images to help the patients relax.

The solution met the hospital's requirements and was delivered on time and within budget.

There has been an increase in diagnostic reliability with the latest generation equipment providing high-quality and very precise imaging. After one year of implementation, there was an astounding...

This outcome has been appreciated by patients, as evidenced by a survey in which 98% of respondents said they were completely satisfied with the experience.

From a research perspective, the department is now participating in clinical trials, engaging in multi-center studies at national and international levels, and serving as a training center for specialists from other hospitals. As a result, the hospital has emerged as a regional reference center for advanced cardiac imaging.

Medtronic IHS is working with other hospitals in the EMEA region to deliver similar design and construction projects customizable to the organization’s particular challenges and goals.