Dr. Thomas Hedrick
Radiologist
The Methodist Hospital

The Methodist Hospital System offers patients state-of-the-art technology available in diagnostic imaging — technology, such as 64-slice CT scanners, that provides remarkably detailed images that can help a patient avoid more invasive procedures.

With the benefits of this advanced technology come drawbacks. These powerful scanners, which can capture comprehensive views of internal organs in a few seconds, can also expose patients to a higher dose of radiation. A recent multi-center study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that by reducing doses, patients get spared the high exposure to radiation, while not losing the quality of the image.

The Methodist Hospital System became the first in Houston to use new technology that dramatically reduces CT radiation doses without compromising the quality of the image.

“This new capability is critical for those at high risk of developing side effects of radiation exposure, such as pediatric and cancer patients,” says Thomas Hedrick, M.D., medical director of Radiology at The Methodist Hospital. “Our patients’ safety is of the utmost importance to us, and now we can provide a safer option for diagnostic imaging.”

Methodist has invested in technology for all of its GE LightSpeed VCT 64-slice scanners across the greater Houston area, which can reduce radiation exposure from 40 percent to 15 percent, depending on the type of image needed for diagnosis. GE is currently the only device manufacturer that offers this capability. Locations with these scanners include The Methodist Hospital, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Methodist Imaging Center in West Houston and Methodist Emergency Care Center in Upper Kirby.