Pictured L-R are Lenn Haas, RTR; Anna Dlask, RTR; and David Broderick, RTR (all MRI technologists at St. John's Lutheran Hospital)
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MRI technology celebrates first anniversary
St. John's Lutheran Hospital
October 15, 2007
October 12th marked one year since St. John’s Hospital added MRI Technology to their list of imaging services. “It is a monumental task to bring a new imaging modality to a small rural hospital, let alone something as extensive as an MRI,” commented David Broderick, RT and Manager of the Imaging Department at St. John’s. “The research, planning, construction, implementation, and training that went into this project were done with such great success that a film and journalism crew from GE Healthcare came to Libby to do a feature on St. John’s as a “Best Practices” site for introducing MRI into a rural hospital.”
Bringing this type of advanced technology to a rural setting takes months of preparation and research. Hospital administrators painstakingly researched the prospect of adding an MRI to St. John’s list of services, and concluded that the new equipment would be a welcomed addition. “When exploring a purchase of this magnitude, our first consideration is the overall benefit to our patients in terms of testing quality and expedience,” added Broderick. “The patient response to having an MRI locally has been remarkable and a total buy-in by all hospital departments has brought this dream to fruition. Over the past year the equipment has proven its worth, reliability, and benefit to our patients. To date, the numbers have far exceeded the projections; with the first year’s total exam count nearly 2½ times what was anticipated.”
According to Broderick, a number of factors have led to the success of the new technology including the addition of Dr. Joshua Urvater, Orthopaedic Surgeon, the support of our local physicians, the quality of the images, the convenience for the patients, and the extensive training and professionalism of the technologists.
“Dr. Wickersham, the director of the radiology group which reads our MRIs, called just last week and praised the quality of work coming out of Libby,” added Broderick. “He was ‘amazed and proud’ of our technologists Lenn Haas, RTR and Anna Dlask, RTR; how quickly the they have mastered the technology, and the level of competency they show. We are truly blessed to have this level of technology and technologists here in Libby.”
Local Radiologist, Dr. Stephen Becker, agrees. “The current group of x-ray technologists is by far the best group that I have worked with through the years,” commented Becker. “Anna and Lenn have done an exceptional job with the MRI, and they continue to expand their knowledge, and expand the capabilities of what we can do with the current MRI equipment. I'm very proud to be a part of such a stellar team. The SJLH x-ray department has grown tremendously since I started work here in 1988, and that can be attributed to many things from the support of the Board of Trustees and the hospital administration, to the great team players that work in our department.”
The Imaging Department at St. John’s provides 7 modalities in addition to MRI, including ultrasound, CT, Mammography, Intravenous Pylegram, Flouroscopy, Echocardiogram, and regular X-ray exams. They are currently working with the Foundation at St. John’s to raise the funds needed to add Digital Mammography to their list of services.
“We continually search to improve our services and provide what our patients and physicians need,” added Broderick. “Imaging is one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare. In order to serve our community, physicians, and hospital, we need to continually train and upgrade our equipment and technology. We are very fortunate to have a proactive hospital that sees the need to expand to provide the best possible healthcare services that we can, locally.”
St. John's Lutheran Hospital Media Release
Related Link:
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, www.sjlh.com
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