Modernising diagnostic capabilities
The Gaia and Espinho local healthcare unit near Porto recently modernised its diagnostic capabilities with help from Sotécnica.
ULSGE, the Gaia and Espinho local healthcare unit, located in a suburb of the Portuguese capital, has undertaken a modernisation of its diagnostic capabilities in a project with Sotécnica and GE Healthcare. This collaboration facilitated the installation of new medical equipment and modifications to existing structures.
The project included the installation of an Allia™ IGS 7 with AutoRight™ angiography system. This equipment reduces exposure to radiation while enhancing the medical image quality. It allows more precise diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and helps to optimise care pathways.
Sotécnica was responsible for all technical operations relating to the installation of this equipment: refitting the spaces; designing and executing technical plans; installing the heating, ventilation and climate control (HVAC) systems and electrics; and creating the pipe network for the equipment cooling system. All these tasks had to be performed in an operational hospital environment, with particular attention to service continuity and minimising nuisance.
The project was executed in two phases: six months of preparation and technical design, followed by three months of works and commissioning. A coordinated approach between the different contractors made it possible to adapt the new installations to the constraints of the existing infrastructure while meeting all medical imaging equipment requirements.
As Carlos Carvalho, Business Unit General Manager at Sotécnica, explains, “This project perfectly illustrates the positive impact on patients’ lives of collaboration between experts in technical infrastructure and in medical technologies. Our expertise offers healthcare professionals a safe environment optimised for providing the best possible care.”