FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Scott A. Duke, Chief Executive Officer

Glendive Medical Center

PH: 406-345- 3302

FAX: 406-345-3378

sduke@gmc.org

GMC INSTALLS ADVANCED 128-SLICE CT SCANNER

Glendive, Montana, October 10, 2011

Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is pleased to announce that it will install a new Philips Ingenuity 128-slice CT scanner in November. "This technology will provide the fastest, highest-resolution and lowest dose imaging available in eastern Montana. The purchase was made possible through the generous donations of several individuals, GMC Auxiliary, GMC Foundation and a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust," Kevin Maxwell, MD said.

The new scanner creates cross-sectional images, or slices, that reveal the tiniest details of bones, organs, arteries and other tissues. During a CT scan, a tube rotates around a patient's body and uses the lowest dose of radiation to capture images from different angles. GMC's new scanner is an adaptive scanner, which means it reduces exposure while still capturing the most intricate images. The machine recognizes the target area and adjusts the dose to protect a patient from unnecessary radiation. The average radiation dose savings per study is 80%.

The new scanner is able to complete a head-to-toe scan in 15 seconds, compared to 60 seconds for a chest scan with GMC's old scanner. The speed improves accuracy. Typically, a patient is asked to hold their breath to reduce motion, but even heartbeats can distort images. A quicker scan means less distortion from motion. Image processing after the study is complete will be reduced from three to five minutes per study to less than 60 seconds for most studies.

This scanner can provide cardiac angiography exams that may be used on Emergency Room patients with chest pain. A single study is able to rule out pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs), Coronary Artery Disease (narrowing of the arteries) and aortic dissection (a tear in the largest vessel in the heart).

The new scanner is scheduled to be operational in November 2011. For more information about GMC's Imaging Services, please visit www.gmc.org.

ABOUT GLENDIVE MEDICAL CENTER - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is a 25-bed critical access hospital located in eastern Montana, providing 24-hour emergency care and a full array of medical and surgical services. In addition, GMC operates two nursing homes with 151 total skilled beds (Extended Care 71 beds and Eastern Montana Veterans Home (80 beds), Gabert Clinic and Pharmacy, and The Heritage (Assisted Living 13-Units). Please call 406-345-3306 for further inquires.