The Radiology Department at Boone County Hospital (BCH) has had a full plate in 2007. In addition to providing exceptional patient care, they have added state-of-the-art technology. The new equipment allows the Radiology Department to have the latest and greatest in medical imaging technology and benefits everyone involved including the patient, the physician and BCH staff.
In October, the Radiology Department added an in-house Nuclear Medicine Room. Previously, Nuclear Medicine was housed in a mobile unit located in the parking lot on the north side of the hospital three days each week. By housing it in the hospital, Radiology is able to offer more services, Monday through Friday. “Nuclear medicine imaging techniques give doctors another way to look inside the human body and will be up to two times faster than the current mobile system,” says Craig. “It combines the use of computers, detectors and radioactive substances.” Techniques include Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), cardiovascular imaging and bone scanning. Nuclear medicine imaging is useful for detecting tumors, aneurysms (weak spots in blood vessel walls), irregular or inadequate blood flow to various tissues, blood cell disorders and inadequate function of organs such as thyroid and pulmonary function deficiencies.
In September, a new system called PACS (Picture Archiving Communications System) was implemented. This networked computer system is dedicated to storage, retrieval, distribution and presentation of images from the Radiology Department. The PACS archives digital images and makes them available to referring physicians online. “It is a convenient tool in delivering quality healthcare diagnosis and allows the physician to obtain images moments after an exam and review them anywhere, anytime,” says Craig Freeman, Radiology Director. The PACS handles images from various medical imaging instruments including ultrasound, magnetic resonance, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT), Mammography and digital X-rays. Benefits include online images and reports 24 hours a day, no lost or misplaced reports, no delays, less trips for the physician to Radiology to view images, all reports and images are on one system, multiple physicians and consultants can access the same study at the same time, improved physician and office staff productivity, and the elimination of errors.
In August, a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system was installed. MRI is a diagnostic imaging technology that uses a strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce pictures of internal organs and structures. “The new system allows for more image clarity and detail than ever before,” says Craig. Through a powerful magnet in conjunction with radiofrequency waves, the doctor can see images in great detail from many angles. The new MRI allows Radiology staff to perform scans for breast imaging, breast biopsies, high resolution imaging, 3D imaging, angiography, upper/lower extremities, head, spine and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the head and neck, abdomen and lower legs. The MRI scans are painless and does not expose the patient to radiation.
In May, a Digital General Radiographic and Fluoroscopy Unit (R&F) was installed. This technology is similar to CR but has a much faster exposure-to-viewing time of as little as three seconds. The fluoroscopy portion of the unit offers continuous real-time X-rays of the body. Typical uses are to observe the digestive tract such as the stomach and colon where the movement of X-ray contrast can be observed and recorded. One of the biggest benefits of this machine is that the digital X-rays gives off less radiation than conventional film based equipment.
In February, Computed Radiography (CR) was added to the Radiology Department. “CR uses equipment that looks similar to conventional X-ray exams, but rather than taking film into a darkroom for development, the imaging plate is run through a computer that scans and digitizes the image,” says Craig. Radiography is the most common method of diagnostic imaging. It accounts for 70 percent of all imaging procedures, in comparison to 10 percent for CT scans and six percent for MRI’s. In addition to saving time and providing improved diagnostic X-ray images, CR simplifies the process of transmission for physician consultation because the images are already in digital form. Images can easily be sent to other physicians or facilities through PACS. According to Craig, this is the trend for the future and all imaging across the country will eventually be digital. One of the big advantages of CR is the image is available in 24 seconds rather than the three minutes it previously took to view film. Other advantages include better image quality, the elimination of chemical and film processing, and images and reports are permanently archived. Advantages for the patient include patient safety, less waiting time prior to the procedure, reduced radiation due to the reduction of retakes and less processing time of the image, which means less time for the patient in Radiology. CR capabilities will also be available in October in a new Radiographic Room in the Boone Orthopedic Center (located on the west end of BCH). This added feature will greatly benefit the orthopedic patient and will save them time by allowing them to have their X-rays done right in the Orthopedic Center rather than walking down to Radiology and then back to the center.
With changes in technology, it’s important for Radiology to be able to offer the best in medical imaging. For Boone County residents, they can be assured that the exams they have done in Radiology are just as good as the procedures at a larger hospital. If you have questions regarding the new equipment in the BCH Radiology Department, please call Craig at (515) 433-8160. |