State-of-the-Art Facility Located at Summit Healthplex Now Seeing Patients
NEWNAN, Ga. (Jan. 04, 2010) – The new Piedmont Outpatient Center, a Piedmont Newnan Hospital Service, located at the Summit Healthplex on Highway 34 East, is now seeing patients. The new center, which involved the renovation of nearly 10,000 square feet of space in the bottom floor of the Summit Healthplex, provides patients with upgraded outpatient radiological services including digital mammography.
The fully-digital center has on-site radiologists and provides CT scans, diagnostic X-ray, ultrasound, digital mammography and DEXA scans, as well as stereotactic breast biopsy procedures. Included in its new digital mammography technology is Computer-aided detection (CAD), which assists physicians in the interpretation of digital mammography images. CAD helps scan the images for atypical appearances and highlights conspicuous sections, such as possible diseases.
“We are thrilled with the new Piedmont Outpatient Center and are excited our patients can now have their radiology needs taken care of in such a convenient location, “said Michael Bass, president and CEO of Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “We are equally proud to now be offering digital mammography, the latest in mammographic detector technology. It is an example of our commitment to providing our community members with increased access to the latest technology available.”
Digital mammography takes less than half the time of traditional film-based exams. When the mammogram is performed to evaluate a specific breast problem, the images can be reviewed while the patient is in the examination room, enabling them to make immediate decisions regarding the need for additional investigation.
Digital mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor, which can then be transmitted and stored just like computer files. Similar to conventional screen film mammograms, digital mammography uses compression and X-rays to create clear images of the inside of the breast. However, unlike film-based mammography digital mammograms produce images in a matter of seconds. The physician can adjust brightness, contrast and magnify specific areas of interest such as microcalcifications, which are tiny deposits of calcium in the breast that appear as “spots” on the images.
The Piedmont Outpatient Center includes a Patient Education Suite thanks to a $150,000 pledge made by the Piedmont Newnan Hospital Auxiliary. The Patient Education Suite features internet access, books, pamphlets, brochures and DVDs. The Auxiliary will also enlist volunteers to greet patients, and provide staff support at the Piedmont Outpatient Center.
For more information on diagnostic and imaging services offered by Piedmont Newnan Hospital, please visit piedmontnewnan.org.