The “All Digital” Radiology Department
Staffed 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
The Greene County General Hospital recently installed a new Siemens Radiographic and Fluoroscopy Room to better serve our patients as well as provide the most up-to-date technology concerning diagnostic radiology. In addition, the Hospital acquired a new P.A.C.S. System that allows digital images to be made accessible to physicians and Radiologists for interpretation.
High Definition Imaging and TrueDigital Technology
High Definition Imaging stands for excellence. We join with almost 4,000 major medical research institutions; hospitals and clinics in using HDI systems to better understand and define anatomical structures, disease states and physiology.
Our new HDI provides a higher level of diagnostic performance across all imaging modes and applications. Greater contrast resolution and more anatomical detail plus enhanced spectral and color Doppler sensitivity provides additional diagnostic information and confidence.
G.E. Brightspeed, 16 Slice CT Scanner
The Greene County General Hospital recently leased a new C.T. Scanner from G.E. and is currently using Phillips HDI 5000 with sono CT technology. “The new equipment will see structures with a degree of clarity and resolution we never before believed possible” says Benjamin Wendell, M.D., Chief Radiologist.
Excellent image quality provides outstanding images across the full range of clinical needs.
Digital Mammograms
The Greene County General Hospital has a Siemens Mammomat Novation. The Mammomat Novation is a patient and user-friendly system that yields the highest quality images. It provides greater accessibility and allows easy, proper positioning of patients including those in wheelchairs. Another feature to this system is the ability to sense optimal compressions. The system senses breast thickness and compresses as long as the breast is soft and pliable, then stops precisely when image quality is maximized. This in turn spares the patient unnecessary discomfort and ensures consistent and reproducible compression techniques.
“Digital Mammography produces images that are strikingly detailed. The magnification images in particular, demonstrate tiny micro calcifications in remarkable detail. Our patients seem pleased with the comfort of the computer controlled compression system and our techs are happy with the many improved features for ease of use. This is a unit that will produce quality mammograms for many years to come” explains Benjamin Wendell, M.D., Chief Radiologist for Greene County General Hospital.
The hospital has also acquired the new ICAD Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system for use in breast cancer screening to assist the radiologist in minimizing false negative readings during mammograms.
Early diagnosis is the key to surviving breast cancer, and mammography screenings with the benefit of the CAD system could help prevent thousands of breast cancer deaths each year in the United States. It is recommended that women in their forties or older should have screening mammograms every one to two years.
Together, both systems offer patients the best technology in the area for mammography screening. The hospital recently received a 100% compliance rating during the F.D.A.’s Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) inspection. The inspection compares specific items in six major areas: equipment performance, technologist QC, medical physicist survey, personnel qualifications, medical reports, and audit outcomes. All areas were in compliance with required standards. Greene County General Hospital has been accredited by the FDA and the American College of Radiology in screening mammography since 1991. The hospital’s Radiology Department mammography hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and also some Saturdays. You will need a physician’s order to receive your screening so please consult your family physician on when and how often you should receive a mammogram screening.
A Message to Mammography Patients
Your mammogram is the most accurate method, to date, of detecting breast cancer but it cannot find all breast cancers. You and your physician are important to your continuing good breast care. You should do regular, careful, monthly self-breast examinations. You should consult your physician for a complete clinical examination as regularly as your doctor recommends.
Approximately half of the women who have a mammogram complain of some discomfort. This is due to the breast compression that is necessary in order to obtain a clear picture of your breast. Be aware that breast compression is not dangerous and does no damage to your breast tissue. The discomfort is only temporary.
Please do not use deodorant or talc powder prior to your exam. If you have, there are wipes available for you. We ask this because we do not want an artifact on your film that could mimic an abnormality.
Our Radiologist will interpret your mammogram and your doctor will notify you of your results. There are occasions when we will ask you to return to our department for additional views. Not all additional films signal abnormality, but are needed to make a correct diagnosis.
Radiology Staff
Benjamin A. Wendell, M.D. – Director of Radiology
Martina Steel-Swaby, R.T. – Supervisor of Radiology
Jean A. Gregory, R.T.
Joann Callihan, R.T.
Sandy Romas, R.T.
Donna Griswald, R.T.
Kathy Blevins, R.T.
Lisa Austin, R.T.
Gina Fish, R.T.
Matthew Robbins, R.T.
Danielle Bredeweg, R.T.
Lisa Taylor, R.T.
Stephany Euliss, R.T.
Jessica Bright, R.T.
Aimee Huddleston, Jody Ferree, Nancy Williams