Imaging
Facilities
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Procedures
including MRI, CT
Scan, R/F Radiology
and ultrasounds are performed at the OMC Imaging Center
at 3102 Independece Square from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
A
women's Breast Care Center, dedicated to giving women
the information they need to be active participants
in their own health care, is located at the Shaw Medical
Building, 1111 Kentucky Ave.
In
addition to our dedication to technological advancement,
OMC Imaging Services continually strives to find better
ways to serve physicians and health care providers.
This includes delivering high-quality patient care
and having all examination results read by board-certified
radiologists. All radiologic technologists employed
by OMC Imaging Services are board certified, with
many having advanced certifications in CT, MRI, mammography,
nuclear medicine and ultrasound.
A
teleradiology system implemented at OMC in the past
year allows OMC Imaging Services to send images to
the homes of its radiologists and other health care
facilities to get quicker interpretations. Teleradiology
benefits patients because they are able to get a diagnosis
faster in a middle-of-the-night emergency or have
quicker access to a second consultation.
Teleradiology
technology is used to send images from CT scans, MRI,
X-ray and ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine
imaging. For more information on imaging services
offered at OMC, call 417-257-6713 or 417-257-7451.
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MRI
An MRI is a diagnostic imaging tool which uses a large electromagnet, radio frequency pulses and a computer to form in-depth images of different parts of the body. Occasionally, a contrast substance is injected intravenously to enhance the visibility of organs and vascular structures.
MRI has many advantages over traditional X-rays and CT scans, including the ability to get an excellent image without exposure to radiation and the ability to produce images of the body from a variety of angles to help the radiologist and physician make a faster and more precise diagnosis.
The MRI machine at OMC Imaging Services is a
closed MRI unit with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. Closed MRI units,
in comparison with open units, offer patients quality images
in a shorter period of time due to the larger magnet strength.
All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry
of Radiologic Technologics (AART) and are board-certified
in MRI and radiography.
Ozarks Medical Center Imaging Services offers MRI scans on Saturdays to better accommodate patients, who may have personal and business commitments during the work week.
For more information on MRI services offered
by OMC Imaging Services, call 417-257-6713 or 417-257-7451.
Nuclear Medicine
The Nuclear Medicine Department at OMC has two nuclear medicine cameras that are interfaced to provide the highest quality images. OMC's new GE Millennium MG nuclear medicine camera integrates state-of-the-art computer technology and superior image quality to allow physicians to see multiple views of the body and have more access to information for making diagnosis.
The camera is used to do a variety of nuclear medicine procedures, including myocardial perfusions (thallium stress test), bone scans, lung scans, and thyroid, gallbladder and renal imaging. During a nuclear medicine procedure, a small amount of radioactive material is given to the patient through injection or by swallowing. As the radioactive material travels through the body, images are taken to allow the radiologist to see how different organs of the body are functioning.
The dual-head camera allows radiologists to take two images at the same time, cutting down dramatically on the amount of time it would normally take to do a scan. This speed allows radiologists to get quicker images in an emergency situation and schedule more patients.
Camera images are sent to a computer and software is used to manipulate the images so the radiologist and the patient's physician can get a closer look at the body organ they are studying. The camera is able to obtain high-quality images of the cardiac system, including images that show how much blood the heart is actually pumping in a given time period.
All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in nuclear medicine and radiography.
For more information on nuclear medicine
procedures offered by OMC Imaging services, call 417-257-6713
or 417-257-7451.
CT Scan
A "CT" or "CAT" scan is a radiologic test known
as computerized tomography. During the procedure, a patient
lies on a padded bed while a thin X-ray beam rotates around
the area of the body chosen to be examined. This generates
a 3-D image of the internal structures of the body to give
the radiologist or physician information about how internal
body organs are functioning.
At OMC, CT scans are used to perform a variety of examinations, including bone densitometry exams, which allows for earlier detection of bone loss often associated with Osteoporosis; as well as detection of cancer, abnormalities of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, vascular studies and radiation planning for oncology. OMC Imaging Services is a member of the OMC Stroke Team and partners with emergency services and the OMC Neurosciences Center to offer stroke patients emergency treatment when brought to the OMC Emergency Department.
All technologists are board-certified by
the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
in radiography.
For more information on CT scanning procedures
offered at OMC Imaging Services, call 417-257-6713 or 417-257-7451.
Breast Care Center
The Ozarks Medical Center Breast Care Center,
located in the Shaw Medical Building, 1111 Kentucky Ave.,
is an FDA-certified mammography center and is accredited
by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Services include mammography, breast ultrasound, diagnostic
work-ups, needle localization for surgical biopsies, stereotactic
biopsies and ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies. The
staff currently performs about 350 procedures a month.
In 2001, the Breast Care Center began offering stereotactic breast biopsies as an alternative to open surgical biopsies. The outpatient procedure is performed in less than an hour and allows women to return to their normal routine immediately afterward. The procedure involves the one-time insertion of a probe directly into the area of the breast that appears suspicious based on a physical exam or a mammogram finding. The probe is guided to the area through the use of stereotactic imaging, which is able to pinpoint, from several different angles, the exact location of the mass that needs to be biopsied. Small samples of tissue are then removed from the area for examination.
The staff of the OMC Breast Care Center
is continually looking into the future for more technology
to address women's health issues. OMC was one of the first
healthcare organizations to purchase the Fuji Digital Mammography.
OMC also performs sentinel node biopsy procedures.
Women do not need a physician's referral to schedule a mammogram. To schedule one,
call 417-257-5901. To learn more about services offered
by the OMC Breast Cancer Center, call 417-257-5881.
Radiography
OMC Imaging Services offers a number of
general diagnostic radiology procedures utilizing computed
radiography (CR), including plain films; upper and low gastrointestinal
fluoroscopy; spinal myelograms; used to visualize abnormalities
within the spinal canal, cystrograrams, used to see images
of the urinary tract and bladder; hystrosalphigograms, used
to look for blockages in the fallopian tubes; and digital
fluoroscopy, which involves the use of filmless images.
Mobile fluoroscopy units are used by Imaging Services in OMC Surgical Services and the Emergency Department to allow physicians to see real-time images while performing surgical procedures, emergency treatment or while administering pain management injections. All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
For more information about general radiology
services offered at OMC Imaging Services,
call 417-257-6713 or 417-257-7451.
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