Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/51232
more head room, elbow room and foot room, so it's more comfortable for patients, especially those with anxiety issues. And it can accommodate patients who weigh up to 500 pounds." The CT scanner is also very spacious. It can accommodate patients up to 400 pounds. Boasting the smallest focal spot size in its class and fine detector collimation of 6 x 0.5 mm and 16 x 0.6 mm, this 16-slice CT scanner reportedly provides images that are clear and sharp with up to 68 percent dose reduction. There's also a patient breathing indicator for improved patient breath-hold during exams. Dose-saving features are one of the benefits of the Center's new digital X-ray system due to its integrated imaging technology which significantly reduces the number of retakes. In addition, this system boasts a mobile flat detector and unique bi-directional detector insertion, which enables X-ray technologists to more easily and quickly accommodate exam requirements. "At the Center, we have three certi- fied technologists," says Ms. Basar. "We really like the digital X-ray's flat detector because it's more convenient for patients who aren't very mobile. It's very thin (23 mm), which enables us to bring it right to the patient in the wheelchair and place it under him or her for the examination. So, it's very patient friendly." Perhaps the most patient-friendly of all of the imaging equipment at the new Center is the c.cam which utilizes a reclining chair, instead of a gantry table, to allow patients The MRI at St. Vincent's new Diagnostic Imaging Center has a wide open bore and a short magnet – only 125 cm – so 60 percent of all scans can be done with the patient's head outside of the open bore. It's very spacious, with more head room, elbow room and foot room, so it's more comfortable for patients, especially those with anxiety issues. And it can accommodate patients who weigh up to 500 pounds. to sit back instead of lying down for their nuclear cardiology exams. The reclining position improves image quality, as well. And the open design is accommodating to patients weighing up to 400 pounds. As for the images, Ms. Lozar says the quality is exceptional. So, too, is the turn-around time for patient scheduling and radiologists' reports. "Our staff schedules patients and does all the paperwork to get approval from insurance companies, so patients can be scheduled within 48 hours if needed," she says, pointing out that the Diagnostic Imaging Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 6 pm. "Nuclear cardiol- ogy tests are scheduled through the office of Dr. Muhammed Zahra." Radiologists' reports are generally written within 24 hours. However, St. Vincent's PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System) enables refer- ring physicians to view the images on their own PCs in their offices even before a report is written. "We're excited about being in the Independence community and being able to serve physicians and their patients in that portion of our market," says Ms. Lozar. "We opened on November 11, and the response so far has been very good." For more information about St. Vincent Charity Medical Center's Diagnostic Imaging Center at 4400 Rockside Road in Independence OH, call 216-357-4400. ■ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 MDNEWS.COM MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 13