A CT Tech’s Life-Saving Catch

It was a busy night in Emergency and Adam made a life-saving catch.

A patient arrived with symptoms of a hernia or bowel obstruction, and a CT scan was ordered. That’s when Adam Varette, one of our skilled CT Technologists, stepped in and delivered far more than a scan.

CT Technologists are highly skilled professionals who operate specialized equipment. Their primary role is to produce detailed images which are then used by physicians to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Adam quickly noticed something unexpected: a thoracic aortic dissection — a life-threatening medical emergency which can appear mild but deteriorate quickly.  It is easy to miss and often fatal.

Thanks to Adam’s quick recognition and action, the care team was able to keep the patient in the scanner for a full protocol, quickly and correctly diagnosing the issue.

Mere minutes later, the physician was discussing the diagnosis with the patient and the situation took a sudden and dramatic turn. The patient clutched their chest and rapidly destabilized. The team jumped into action, resuscitating the patient and transferring them urgently for vascular surgery.

This is a powerful example of the difference a single sharp-eyed professional can make in patient care. Thanks to Adam’s exceptional work, a life was saved.