Radiology Services At Genesis Medical Center
State-of-the-Art Diagnostics Capabilities
The Genesis Radiology Department, with its team of board-certified radiologists, radiologic technologists, nursing staff and support personnel, offers diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine and digital angiography. With three locations – on the East Rusholme Street campus, West Central Park campus, and the freestanding Bettendorf Imaging Center, Genesis offers state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging while reducing exam times, patient waiting times, improving patient care and satisfaction.
Genesis is the first hospital in the Quad Cities to implement a PACS system (Picture Archival and Communication System) for image retrieval and storage. Instead of using film to print and store your examination, all images are stored digitally on computer. This allows your physician access to your examination at his or her office. If you ever have to travel to an out-of-area physician, your images can travel with you on CD Rom instead of having to transport bulky films with you.
Diagnostic Radiology produces radiographic (x-ray) images of the human body. Imaging suites are located at the Genesis East Rusholme Street and West Central Park campuses, the Bettendorf Imaging Center, and at Genesis Medical Clinics throughout the Quad Cities area. X-rays, which were first introduced to the world in 1895, are still the backbone of Radiology. Images of the human body are taken with an x-ray machine. These images that were once produced on film are now produced on special plates, which transmit the image onto the PACS computer system for instant retrieval for your physician at his office. All radiologic technologists at Genesis are registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, (ARRT).
Computerized Tomography, or C.T.
The Computerized Tomography department, commonly known as a CAT scan, uses up-to-date Siemens equipment with a complete scan time as low as several seconds to improve care and patient comfort and enable physicians to obtain a faster diagnosis. A CT scan is an x-ray that is taken while the x-ray tube is rotating 360 degrees around your body. The computer then takes the information received by receptors opposite the tube and creates a thin-slice image of your body. For some abdominal and pelvic exams, the patient may need to drink a barium-type substance to outline the bowel, and a contrast material may need to be injected into a vein in the patient’s arm. Genesis is able to provide head, chest abdominal, vascular, spine and extremity scans. Most CT scans can be performed within 30 minutes. With scanners located at our East Rusholme Street and West Central Park campuses and the Bettendorf Imaging Center, your exam can be scheduled for your convenience.
Nuclear Medicine
The Nuclear Medicine department performs nuclear medicine procedures with the latest technologies available. Nuclear Medicine is the injection of radioactive material into the body, and the patient is scanned. Depending on the examination, the patient then is immediately scanned or is scanned after several hours. Using detectors, the amount of radiation from the radioactive material that was injected is measured and images are taken. The technologists, all registered in the specialty of Nuclear Medicine, are continually upgrading their education to perform the most up-to-date examinations. There are Nuclear Medicine scanners located at both the East Rusholme Street and West Central Park campuses.
The Nuclear Medicine department on the East Rusholme Street campus, in conjunction with the Chest Pain Clinic, performs myocardial perfusion imaging, which can detect ischemic heart changes, a potentially life-threatening disease. This can enable the Emergency Room physician in consult with an interventional cardiologist to perform an angiogram. If positive, then the physicians can then elect to perform angioplasty or a coronary bypass on the narrowed arteries. This early intervention discovered in Nuclear Medicine can save the heart muscle from damage or cell death that would occur if the coronary vessel blocks completely. Most Nuclear Medicine examinations are performed in approximately one hour.
Ultrasound
The Ultrasound department, using Siemens/Acuson Sequoia equipment, performs a complete spectrum of ultrasound examinations. Sequoia equipment is used for its excellent image quality, versatility and upgradeable architecture. General abdominal, renal, pelvic, obstetric and non-invasive vascular examinations are performed at Genesis East Rusholme Street and West Central Park campuses and the Bettendorf Imaging Center.
Ultrasound examinations use sound waves projected into the body from a transducer, which is placed directly on the skin. A gel is placed on the skin to eliminate air and to assist the sound waves to enter the body. The transducer is placed on the gel, and gentle pressure may be applied. The technologists performing the examinations are registered with the American Registry of Diagnostic Ultrasound. Most examinations are performed in 45 minutes or less.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging departments (MRI) located at Genesis, West Central Park, and the Bettendorf Imaging Center use the Achieva 1.5 tesla magnet, made by Philips. Genesis was among the first clinical sites in the United States to install this magnet, which uses dual gradients. This newer configuration allows faster scan times, thinner cuts and higher resolution images. The MRI department performs routine imaging of the spine, brain, joints and extremities. With the new magnet, MRI is in the process of expanding services to include breast imaging with biopsy capabilities, vascular imaging of the legs to visualize vessel occlusion and dissection and cardiac imaging to include anatomy and function studies. Technologists have attended special conferences to learn these new procedures. Genesis technologists who performing MRI examinations are all registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, (ARRT).
During Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies, patients are placed on a table and slid into a magnet with a coil around the area of interest. The use of radio frequencies and magnetic fields produces excellent images without the use of radiation. There have been no proven biological effects of MRI. Placing the patient into a magnetic field where the hydrogen atoms realign to the magnetic field produces an image. At that point, a radio frequency pulse is sent through the magnetic field causing the atoms to spin, which creates a signal that is transmitted into a computer where the image is constructed. When the patient is removed from the magnetic field, the atoms of the body all return to normal. Some examinations require an injection of a contrast material, gadolinium, which is used to enhance certain structures of the body. These examinations usually can be performed in an hour or less.