Donors give physicians a high definition view

Advancements in technology continuously present new opportunities to provide better care to patients. At Guelph General Hospital, caring community members allow our Hospital to keep pace through their generous donations.

Improvements in optics and the introduction of high definition image and video display in today’s medical equipment have proven time-and-again to be game-changers in diagnosing and assisting the treatment of disease and illness.

Recently, generous donors funded ten new cystoscopes for use in Guelph General’s Ambulatory Care Department. 

A scope is a hollow tube with a camera lens at the end. Magnified images from the camera lens are displayed on a screen where the physician can see them. A cystoscope is used to see inside the patient’s urethra and bladder to diagnose, monitor and guide the treatment of conditions affecting these areas of the body, such as cancer or bladder and kidney stones.

Cystoscopes are used frequently in the Hasenfratz Ambulatory Care Unit at Guelph General, in fact, more than 3,500 times each year.

“Our previous cystoscopes were seven years old. They were well used and at the end of their life,” said Jenny Griffin, Director of Perioperative Services, Ambulatory Care, and Bariatrics.

“Because optics are much better in the new cystoscopes and because the new screens show  high definition imagery, procedures can be performed more quickly and diagnosis is more accurate,” Jenny explained. “We are thankful to our donors for funding these new cystoscopes. They make a difference to our patients, each and every day. ”