(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - A new nuclear medicine gamma camera and new echocardiogram services in the imaging department at PeaceHealth Ketchikan will greatly improve the opportunity for patients to have comprehensive heart assessments without leaving Southeast Alaska.

The new gamma camera is used in stress tests to assess coronary artery disease. It cuts the imaging time in half, with even better resolution. PHMG Medical Director Peter Rice MD, notes that nuclear imaging increases the accuracy from about 70% to roughly 90% in studies of men undergoing the exercise stress tests.

The new gamma camera has been in place about four months.

“We are now able to do stress echocardiograms,” said Dr. Rice. “This is an additional cardiac evaluation, not previously available in Ketchikan.”

The new echocardiogram system was added to Imaging about nine months ago. Cardiac sonographer Colin McCormick was recruited to join PeaceHealth Ketchikan for more timely access to the new equipment that also increases testing accuracy and provides faster results.

Colin McCormick has experience in both pediatric and stress echo sonography. Historically, children who need these tests had to travel off island for this service. Scott Smith, Director of Support Services, said, “previously we had a pediatric cardiologist travel to Ketchikan twice per year but now we can do these at patient and family convenience.

Smith said, “We will also increase access to this service by taking this equipment to the Prince of Wales clinic at an increased frequency to offer echocardiograms.”

“The ability to have same-day access and evaluation of heart problems will be a great service to the community,” said Dr. Rice. “This is a dramatic upgrade. In the past we’ve even had to medevac some patients off island for this procedure.”

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, is also a Level IV Trauma Center for an area roughly twice the size of Massachusetts. Key services include general and orthopedic surgery, and primary, women’s health, pediatric, and behavioral health clinics. The Medical Center also has a 29-bed Transitional Care Unit.

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/ketchikan

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