Posted - 11/12/2009 07:02pm Digital Imaging Annex Celebrates First Anniversary
PRESS RELEASE
Sonoma Valley Hospital
November 12, 2009
This month marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Annex, which has this year provided 3,369 mammograms for Sonoma women.
The Diagnostic Imaging Annex now offers both digital mammography and bone density screenings. According to Chief of Radiology and Imaging Services Dr. W. James DeMartini, this technology is state of the art. “From the technical aspect, digital imaging is a much more accurate way to evaluate breasts,” he said. The system now includes computer-aided detection (CAD), which places circles on the image of the breast to draw radiologists’ attention to suspicious lesions. DeMartini explained that this is especially helpful when the lesion is submillimeter in size. “This is the best system anywhere,” he said.
This service provides the women of Sonoma with highest quality testing, not limited to the bounds of geography. As Medical Director of the California Advanced Imaging Medical Associates, Inc., DeMartini brings to the reading of each mammogram not only his 30 years of experience as a radiologist, but an extended network of radiologists who are always available electronically to give second opinions as he is interpreting the digital images. In addition, DeMartini said, women enjoy coming to the Annex where there’s easy parking, a nice facility, where they don’t have to wait, and where they can get their bone density test at the same time. “It’s much more convenient,” he said.
An added convenience is that with increased accuracy, the need for repeat testing declines, said Medical Imaging Manager Jackie Lyons, noting that since going digital there has been a 16% decrease in repeat exams. The Annex also offers bilingual staff support, she said. The Imaging Annex is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
Sonoma Valley Hospital
November 12, 2009
Digital Imaging Annex 1st anniversary
This month marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Annex, which has this year provided 3,369 mammograms for Sonoma women.
The Diagnostic Imaging Annex now offers both digital mammography and bone density screenings. According to Chief of Radiology and Imaging Services Dr. W. James DeMartini, this technology is state of the art. “From the technical aspect, digital imaging is a much more accurate way to evaluate breasts,” he said. The system now includes computer-aided detection (CAD), which places circles on the image of the breast to draw radiologists’ attention to suspicious lesions. DeMartini explained that this is especially helpful when the lesion is submillimeter in size. “This is the best system anywhere,” he said.
This service provides the women of Sonoma with highest quality testing, not limited to the bounds of geography. As Medical Director of the California Advanced Imaging Medical Associates, Inc., DeMartini brings to the reading of each mammogram not only his 30 years of experience as a radiologist, but an extended network of radiologists who are always available electronically to give second opinions as he is interpreting the digital images. In addition, DeMartini said, women enjoy coming to the Annex where there’s easy parking, a nice facility, where they don’t have to wait, and where they can get their bone density test at the same time. “It’s much more convenient,” he said.
An added convenience is that with increased accuracy, the need for repeat testing declines, said Medical Imaging Manager Jackie Lyons, noting that since going digital there has been a 16% decrease in repeat exams. The Annex also offers bilingual staff support, she said. The Imaging Annex is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
