The Operating Theatre Journal July 2022

Purpose-built pacing theatre powered by Alphenix Sky goes
live at Countess of Chester Hospital
Enhanced image quality, lower dose and quicker procedures to meet the increasing needs of ageing patient population in the area
Cardiac rhythm management and bradycardia pacemaker implantation
services have been enhanced for patients at the Countess of Chester
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following the installation of a new
Alphenix Sky ceiling-mounted C-arm.
The bespoke pacing theatre, a turnkey project with Canon Medical
Systems UK, included the replacement of a 15-year-old incumbent
system with the latest interventional imaging technology to improve
image quality, reduce dose and speed up procedures. The remodelling
of the room also included lighting modifications to the right and left to
enable greater versatility of pacing on both sides of the patient.
adding further potential to keep evolving in tune with the future of
healthcare,” adds Gareth Buckingham.
“The Canon Medical turnkey team was excellent to work with. The
project was planned well in advance and collaboration with the wider
hospital teams, such as IT networking, was superb. We had a good
plan and kept on schedule, which was essential as we had to share any
downtime with endoscopy or theatre,” concludes Gareth Buckingham.
“We have had a long relationship with the Countess of Chester Hospital
and the enthusiasm of this Alphenix project has been fantastic as the
hospital team embraced the new features, functionality, and versatility
to tailor services for their patient cohort. We look forward to supporting
them drive the dedicated pacing theatre forward and expanding the
depth of work undertaken,” states Colin Murray, Account Manager at
Canon Medical Systems UK.
Polly Taylor, Senior Radiographer operates the Canon Medical UK
Alphenix ceiling-mounted C-arm at Countess of Chester Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust.
“Chester has a growing ageing population and our pacemaker workload
is increasing year-on-year by about 7%. We do approximately 400 cases
every year which makes us one of the bigger centres in the area. We’re
also seeing an increased need of subpectoral pacemaker implantation,
burying them a bit deeper, which previously meant patients were sent
elsewhere for the procedure. Now, we have the set-up to do it here
at the Countess of Chester Hospital in the Cath Lab with the Alphenix
Sky. This is better for the patient as it potentially means a closer-tohome
appointment. This is just one example of how by having the latest
imaging equipment, we’re ready to seize new service opportunities
that will improve patient experiences and outcomes into the future,”
states Gareth Buckingham, Cath Lab Manager at the Countess of Chester
Hospital.
“Having a new and productive pacing theatre adjoined to our cardiology
day unit also really assists with our patient flow. We try and pace within
24 hours of referral as this is a ‘get it right first time’ objective for our
region. A good, robust fixed C-arm has enhanced the image quality and
quickened clinical interpretation. Improving quality was our aim, and
this is what the Alphenix system has helped us deliver,
Countess of Chester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has installed
a new Alphenix Sky ceiling-mounted C-arm from Canon Medical
Systems UK.
Pictured (L to R): Polly Taylor, Senior Radiographer; Amber Clarke,
Staff Nurse; Sian Jones, Staff Nurse; Helen Myers, Healthcare
Assistant; Gareth Buckingham, Cath Lab Manager; Jeanette Lovatt,
Staff Nurse; Dennis Caulfield, Consultant Cardiologist; Marc Ivison,
Service Team Leader, Midlands & North at Canon medical Systems
UK; Raquel Domingues, Clinical Cardiac Physiologist.
For more information visit:
Canon Medical United Kingdom: https://uk.medical.canon
For further information, please contact: Alisha Pyzer
Canon Medical Systems UK
T: +44 (0)1293 653700
E: Alisha.Pyzer@eu.medical.canon
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