Medical Imaging – Your Health, Our Focus
Julie Childerhose, Director; and Dr. Angela Fleming, Chief and Medical Director, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Brant Community Healthcare System
Medical Imaging services at the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is comprised of many different types of exams referred to as modalities – X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT, Interventional Radiology, Mammography and Nuclear Medicine.
“The role of medical imaging is critical in a patient’s healthcare journey. Each exam is like a piece of a puzzle when working to understand a patient’s condition. Imaging services play a vital role from screening, diagnosing, monitoring and treating various medical conditions. Imaging is often necessary to determine disposition of a patient. For example, emergent CT or US for patients seen in the Emergency Department help the ER physicians determine if the patient needs to be admitted, is able to be discharged home or if the patient needs referral to a specialist. Imaging is also invaluable when following up on the efficacy of treatments, playing a key role in management of patients with cancer” says Dr. Angela Fleming, Chief and Medical Director, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Brant Community Healthcare System.
Did You Know?
203,915 diagnostic imaging procedures were performed at the BCHS during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
This busy department at the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) needs your help. Due to several pieces of equipment being end of life, to ensure uninterrupted and continuing service to the community, and to take advantage of technological improvements which would benefit our patients, the BCHS requires multiple pieces of imaging equipment over the next couple of years. From digital mammography to ultrasound technology, to a gamma camera and MRI. Together, the cost to replace this necessary technology totals over $6 million.
“As a local physician, I recognize that much of the technology we work with daily is available to patients because of donor dollars. I am so grateful for the generosity of our community that puts the tools in the hands of our staff to care for our patients. We are turning to you once again and asking our community to come together and help us purchase new technology and replacement equipment to benefit patient care,” states Dr. Fleming.
Digital Mammography & Ultrasound
The first digital mammography units arrived at the BCHS in 2012. Both units have now been classified by the vendor as end of product life in June 2021. This means that production of our current units has ceased.
Mammography is the most valuable tool radiologists rely on to diagnose breast cancer and to follow patients diagnosed with cancer post treatment. This specialized x-ray is used to produce detailed images of the breast. Breast tomosynthesis is an advanced form of mammographic imaging that allows for creation of 3 dimensional images of the breasts, proven to improve the ability of mammography to diagnose cancer in certain types of breast tissue.
Contrast enhanced mammography is an additional tool to aid in diagnosis of breast cancer. The new equipment at the BCHS will have both breast tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced mammographic capabilities.
Ultrasound imaging is used for a wide range of indications and symptoms and is also a complementary modality to mammography. It can help to diagnose breast lumps or other abnormalities found during an exam or on a mammogram.
Currently at BCHS, patients often have to travel back and forth between the mammographic suite and the ultrasound area when we are dealing with breast issues. The ideal future state is to create one area for breast imaging at the BCHS. Purchase of an additional ultrasound unit specifically for breast imaging will allow patients to remain in one location for all required breast imaging needs, including mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy, instead of being cared for throughout various areas of the department. This will also free up time in the general ultrasound area to take care of more inpatients and patients from the emergency department.
“Digital mammography, with the capability for breast tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced mammography will allow us to best support breast cancer care at BCHS,” says Dr. Angela Fleming, Chief and Medical Director, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Brant Community Healthcare System. “Your investment will greatly increase our ability to provide our patients with exemplary care”.
Nuclear Medicine Technology
The gamma camera is a machine that can detect and create images from very small amounts of ionizing radiation emitted from patients having a nuclear medicine exam.
With the existing gamma camera at end of life, BCHS would like to update to have two functioning SPECT/CT Nuclear Medicine cameras. A SPECT/CT is a combination of a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scan with a CT (Computed Tomography) scan. A SPECT scan is a type of nuclear medicine test that uses a radiotracer (a special contrast agent), that is injected through your vein. A CT scan uses X-ray radiation to provide thorough images of the structures inside the body (anatomy).
By integrating both technologies, a very detailed and informative study results outlining not only anatomy but also physiology/function.
This non-invasive technology is critical to providing accurate assessments of cancer, orthopaedic and cardiac disease. In addition, this technology is extremely helpful in localizing lymph nodes in the axilla for breast cancer, as well as the throughout the body for lymphoma, and other cancers, including melanoma. This improves the staging of patients with cancer to ensure that the correct treatment is given at the right time.
MRI Technology
MRI units use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images. There is no radiation involved.
The human body is composed of hydrogen atoms. MRI technology uses magnets to create a magnetic field that interacts with the atoms in the patient’s body. Radio waves are then pulsed through the patient, stimulating those atoms, and producing signals that are captured by a computer. This data is then converted into highly detailed images of the body. At BCHS, we offer emergent MRI 24/7 as this modality is often needed to determine management of patients by specialists such as neurosurgeons. MRI is used to give detailed assessment of many tumors and is also an invaluable tool for our orthopedic surgeons for assessment of joints.
All of these pieces of equipment are necessary to patient care.
This year the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation’s Ignite Gala presented by ProResp taking place on September 20th at the Affinity Conference Centre will be raising funds in support of Medical Imaging at the BCHS. Your Health is Our Focus.
If you are unable to attend and wish to support the purchase of essential Medical Imaging equipment – Now is the time to make a difference!
Patients’ lives are being saved every day at the BCHS because of donor dollars. Your involvement, through a donation of any size, allows us to support our dedicated professionals at the BCHS with the medical equipment they need to provide excellent patient care.
Please send your donation TODAY to ensure that your local healthcare system is well-equipped to continue saving lives. Let’s invest together to re-imagine healthcare.
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Fleming
Chief and Medical Director, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Brant Community Healthcare System
