Mammography Moving Forward
As part of the College Station Medical Center’s ongoing quest to provide high level quality of care to Brazos Valley residents, the hospital announces the acquisition of a new Hologic Selenia mammography machine. The Selenia is different from previous equipment because it is a fully digital system. The change to digital technology will benefit all aspects of the mammography process. In addition to the new mammography machine, we will also be moving the mammography process into its own, new suite at the hospital. The addition of this new technology will allow the Med to provide mammography services that are second to none in the area.
What is so much better about digital?
The move from traditional X-ray mammography to digital will create many advantages for patients. First, the use of digital technology will create a faster turnaround time for physicians. The images will be available immediately and will be able to be accessed by physicians with much greater ease through our in-house Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). The new equipment will also allow previous film mammographies to be scanned into the PACS system for much quicker and easier comparison. The records will then be quickly available so that comparisons between old and new mammograms will be streamlined. However, there is one new advantage that is more important than any other. Jim Farr, Diagnostic Imaging Director at CSMC, says that the new digital machine’s “single most important feature is that it is 20-30% better at recognizing and detecting cancerous lesions.”
What will the new mammography facility look like?
The new mammography office will feature a newly remodeled waiting room that will welcome are patients with style and comfort. Comfortable, private changing rooms will be available to patients as well as a new patient education room. These additions will provide a more private and welcoming environment. The new mammography machine is pictured and will feature warming pads and a more comfortable examination process.
Future Plans
The mammography upgrades are not limited to just the College Station Medical Center. An equipment upgrade is also being planned for our facilities in Navasota with the goal of having digital capabilities in that office as well.