Imaging
Medical imaging is the procedure used to create images of the human body for further diagnosis. Imaging encompasses a wide variety of procedures, including ultrasound and mammography, as well as nuclear medicine and MRI/CT.
In most cases, procedures are non-invasive and can be performed and read electronically, with results sent to your physician very quickly. Imaging can be an integral part of the diagnosis process for an inpatient or outpatient procedure.
MRI/CT
If your physician has ordered an MRI or CT scan, you can come to Moses Taylor Hospital for your procedure. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT scan (computed tomography) provides high-resolution, detailed images for faster, more accurate diagnoses.
For your convenience, we have a beautifully designed and comfortable MRI/CT area on first floor of the hospital. Moses Taylor also has a picture archive communication system in place that acts as a digital storehouse for patient images. Our staff can see thousands of images in a very short period of time, and images can be transmitted to your physician’s office.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses a special hand-held device to pass sound waves through the skin. These sound waves create echoes through the body that are converted into electrical signals, viewed on a computer monitor and recorded for further study. A gel-like substance may be used to provide better contact between the transducer (the hand-held device) and the skin. This gel may feel slightly cold and, even though it wipes off easily, it is a good idea to wear clothing that is easily washable. Ultrasounds are non-invasive, and can be a common procedure for pregnancies and gynecological issues, as well as many other procedures as requested by your physician.
X-ray Radiology
General radiology provides convenient rapid imaging examinations of all areas of the body. These examinations may include: bone and joint imaging; barium studies of the gastrointestinal tract; and images relating to diseases of the esophagus, lungs, stomach, small intestine, colon, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder. As with any other hospital service, your comfort and privacy are very important to us, and your results will be forwarded directly to your physician as quickly as possible.
Bone Density Testing
Bone density testing is performed with a clinical bone densitometer. The densitometer measures the mineral content and density of specific sites that may be more susceptible to fracture due to osteoporosis and other degenerative bone diseases. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when bone density has decreased to the point where fractures can happen with mild stress. The procedure is fast, painless and non-invasive. During a test, patients lie fully clothed on a padded treatment table, while the machine scans one or more areas. Early detection can be very helpful in controlling bone density loss. Ask your physician about this important procedure.
Mammography
Moses Taylor Hospital recommends a three-step approach to breast cancer awareness, detection and prevention:
1. See your physician regularly
2. Perform monthly self-breast examinations
3. Schedule your mammogram as recommended by your physician.
Our trained mammography technologists can help your physician detect breast cancer in its earliest stages through imaging. A mammogram may show something that may be too small to be felt by self-breast examinations. Our technologists can also give you information on how to reduce your chance of developing breast cancer or detecting it in its early stages.
At Moses Taylor Hospital, we support the efforts of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.
Nuclear Medicine
Moses Taylor Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear medicine as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Nuclear medicine involves the use of very small amounts of radioactive isotopes to help diagnose a wide variety of diseases and abnormalities. The isotope enters the body intravenously, by inhaling a gas or by swallowing a capsule. A gamma camera is used to locate the isotope within the body. Nuclear medicine can be used to diagnose cardiac function, heart blockages, skeletal fractures or tumors, blood clots in the lungs, or other causes of breathing impairment.
Vascular Diagnostic Center
The Moses Taylor Hospital Vascular Diagnostic Center involves an innovative, non-invasive procedure that allows a multidisciplinary team of physicians to visualize almost any vessel in the body that can later be repaired through surgery. The tests are highly accurate, many times eliminating the need for previously used uncomfortable procedures, as well as invasive surgery to access vascular disease. Open to inpatients and outpatients, the Vascular Diagnostic Center at Moses Taylor Hospital is opened Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 340-2256 for additional information.