The Radiology Department provides a full range of diagnostic services. All exams require a physician’s order prior to or at the time of exam and most exams are scheduled by appointment. BMH radiology services include:
Breast screening needn’t be an intimidating experience!
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital offers state-of-the-art digital mammography in the Richards Building for outpatient care. BMH is now able to offer patients who undergo routine mammograms the latest diagnostic technology available to them with the addition of two new Selenia™ digital mammography instruments from Hologic®. Appointments are now being scheduled for these new machines, often within a day or two. Once a patient has an appointment, which must be ordered by the physician, there is no need to go through Patient Registration, as the patients are now pre-registered, meaning they can report directly to the mammography unit at the time of their appointment.
Digital mammography provides the highest quality of care in the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. It is known to be particularly helpful in women with dense breasts. It allows the radiologist to view the x-ray image more closely zeroing in on suspicious or concerning areas. This enables them to make immediate decisions about additional images. Digital mammography takes less than half the time of traditional film-based exams. From the patient’s point of view, a digital mammogram is like traditional film screen mammography. Both use x-ray to generate images of the breast.
The difference is, instead of using film to capture and record the image, a digital mammogram uses a special detector to capture and convert x-ray energy into a digital image. The resulting digital images are immediately available to the radiologist for diagnosis. The radiologist can view and manipulate the images on high-resolution computer monitors that enhance visualization of the structures within the breast tissue. They can also adjust brightness and contrast, and zoom in on specific areas to help detect small calcification’s, masses, and other changes that may be signs of early cancer.
Digital mammography offers a number of other practical advantages and patient conveniences. Because there is no waiting for film to be developed it can significantly reduce the exam time for patients, as well as reduce the need for repeat exams due to under or over exposure. Digital images are easily stored and transferred electronically, eliminating the dependency on one set of original films, which could get lost in transit.
The BMH Mammography Department uses the “Softer Mammogram”, a mammo pad which provides a soft, warm cushion between you and the mammography machine.
In conjunction with the digital mammography unit, BMH is also offering Computer-Aided Detection. CAD provides a “second read” of the mammogram by a computer. This assists the radiologist in making an accurate diagnosis, like spell check in word processing. Our goal is to provide the best possible care for our patients.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics demonstrate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97%.
Although patients are able to access the Richards Building from the main hospital (via a new corridor), the easiest access to the Richards Building 2nd floor is by elevator from the ground floor. The elevators are accessed by either the glass front entrance from the main hospital parking lot, or by driving around to the back side of the hospital and entering under the convenient covered entrance. Ample parking areas are available to patients near this access. These entry ways also access all other outpatient services now available in the Richards Building.
For an appointment, call 802-251-8431.
Click here to read an article to educate yourself on the fine points of breast health and medical imaging.
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital offers a comfortable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam with its recent acquisition of the Vantage™ MRI system made by Toshiba. Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most accurate and advanced imaging tests available today.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a non-invasive way to take dozens of pictures inside your body in only 30-50 minutes. The MRI technology uses a magnetic field and a computer to construct your images. The images are much clearer and more detailed than X-rays and can help your doctor give you a better, more complete diagnosis.
The updated MRI at BMH is designed to improve the patient experience with new, exclusive patient comfort features. These include an ultra-short bore platform, making the system feel more open. The short-bore design offers greater openness for claustrophobic patients by minimizing the feeling of being inserted into a tube-like machine. In addition, the system is equipped with Toshiba’s patented Pianissimo™ noise reduction technology, which effectively reduces scan noise by as much as 90 percent. The quietness of this new instrument during scanning is more calming for the patient. When the patient is more at ease, the technicians have greater success with the scan and capture better images to help the physician make a confident diagnosis.
In addition to its patient comfort features, the new BMH instrument is a high-field MRI system that performs a wide variety of non-invasive exams including the latest state-of-the-art imaging techniques. Using a magnetic field and a computer to construct your images, MRI technology is also used to identify tumor masses and other abnormalities in the head, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities, as well as to examine bone and joint injuries. Frequently, this type of diagnostic information cannot be acquired with any other medical procedure, except surgery.
According to BMH radiologist Edward Elliott, MD, “The Toshiba 1.5 T MRI unit was selected for its advanced patient comfort features, excellent image quality and advanced technology. Enhanced sensitivity and accuracy are essential for early detection and treatment of diseases. With the latest advanced angiography software, we are especially excited about the ability to perform MRI angiography – the evaluation of blood vessels – without the need for injecting contrast intravenously, especially for studying the brain, kidneys and extremities.”
MRI is one of the safest imaging technologies available. By using magnetic fields and radio waves, MRI is able to provide excellent images of the body and without using x-rays. It greatly expands the ability to evaluate abnormalities and diseases affecting the patient. Highly trained and experienced MRI Technologists perform the 30 – 50 minute exams under the guidance of the board certified radiologists at BMH.
The new MRI scanner at BMH is housed in a completely redesigned, spacious enclosure, located next to the BMH Emergency Room, readily accessible for inpatients and outpatients. Services are available for MRI on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with extended evening hours on Tuesday and Friday. A referral from the patient’s health care provider is required. A highly trained staff assists patients and their doctors’ offices with scheduling and precertification and preauthorizations, as required by many insurance companies.
BMH is pleased to offer these significant advancements in medical MRI imaging to our community. If you wish to have more information about preparing for an MRI, click here.
Offered at BMH, medical ultrasound imaging and cardiac ultrasound imaging, also called or sonography and echocardiography involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound is often the first-line diagnostic tool, a starting point to problem solve a patient’s condition. Ultrasound diagnostic imaging technology offers unlimited scanning angles and dedicated views of the organ systems for such procedures as abdominal, gynecological, OB, small parts, breast imaging, vascular imaging, pediatrics and musculo-skeletal.
Cardiac ultrasound imaging or echocardiography is an imaging procedure in which the goal is to generate a picture of the heart for the purpose of evaluating a heart condition or suspected heart problem. Like other types of ultrasound imaging, cardiac ultrasound is non-invasive and painless, and it can be performed as an outpatient procedure in a clinic or hospital. There are a variety of reasons for a doctor to request a cardiac ultrasound, and he or she will usually discuss the reason for the procedure with the patient at the time that the procedure is recommended.
Both medical and cardiac ultrasound are non-invasive, readily available, portable, and involves minimal patient discomfort. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
Scope of Service
The Radiology Department is a full service department, providing routine and specialized imaging and/or therapeutic procedures for inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients. The department offers services 24-hours a day, seven days a week. We also provide related quality control, which includes radiation safety for patients and staff. Radiology is comprised of licensed technologists and radiologists as well as support staff. The BMH technologist staff is very experienced, many have pursued advanced level certification in various modalities.
Our radiologists are board-certified and provide quality care and timely interpretation of all radio-graphic procedures.
Questions…contact our Radiology Department at 802-257-8895.
