McDuffie Regional Medical Center added a new Selenia digital mammography system from Hologic in March.
The new machine means earlier detection of breast cancer and faster exams for patients.
"It's faster because we no longer have to develop film," said Sheron Rutkowski, the director of radiology at MRMC. "The image just pops up within
seconds on the computer screen. The patients no longer have to wait for us to develop the film before they can leave."
Faster exams mean more patients can be scheduled within the same amount of time.
"So, it should be easier for patients to get their appointments sooner," Ms. Rutkowski added.
The time factor is really just the icing on the cake, so to speak. The real advantage of the fulldigital mammography is that it allows the radiologist to adjust the
brightness and contrast of the image and to zoom in on specific areas to help detect changes that may be signs of early cancer, according to literature
from MRMC.
To supplement this technology, McDuffie Regional incorporates digital Computer-Aided Detection (CAD). Digital CAD fl ags abnormalities and highlights
characteristics commonly associated with breast cancer to aid the radiologist in early detection.
Brown and Radiology Associates read mammograms for McDuffie Regional Medical Center. They are the same group that reads for University, Doctors and Trinity
hospitals in Augusta.
McDuffie Regional Medical Center is committed to the fight against breast cancer. Two weeks ago, they underwent an annual inspection according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Mammography Quality Standards Act. Their score was a perfect 100.
"We're proud of that," Ms. Rutkowski said.
Anyone wishing to schedule a mammogram at MRMC should contact their primary physician for an order. For more information, call the radiology department at
706-597-5361.
