Published on February 12, 2010

Illini Campus Offers High-Tech Radiology Imaging

It's not every community hospital that offers some of the most, high-tech diagnostic imaging testing available.

The Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus isn't just any community hospital, however. The hospital's Radiology Department has kept pace with the latest technology, and as a result, offers imaging options that equal, and even exceed, many larger hospitals.

A few factors set the Illini Campus apart: Illini boasts one of the newest nuclear medicine cameras in the region. Unlike many smaller hospitals, Illini has a permanent MRI suite and a digital radiography room. And, digital mammography, 3D/4D ultrasound and MRI services have earned accreditation from the American College of Radiology.

For patients, the advancements mean more accurate diagnostic imaging, faster turnaround, more comfort, and higher-definition scans for their physicians.

Meeting Patients' Needs
"Many smaller hospitals don't have the finances and support system for the latest radiology technology. But Genesis has been very supportive of our needs and has really made this a priority," says Denise Jones, Assistant Radiology Manager,

at Illini Campus.

"Our department serves an estimated 55,000 patients a year. We have high volumes; we see very critical patients; and, we are able to provide many imaging needs, so our patients don't have to go to a larger hospital.

"Our ACR accreditations in ultrasound, MRI and mammography are not mandatory but show that we have taken the extra steps to be the best."

The nuclear medicine camera and digital radiography room are the newest technologies.

Nuclear Medicine Camera
The nuclear medicine imaging system is ideal for the early detection of heart disease and other hard-todiagnoseb disorders. It was purchased about a year ago with help from the Genesis Illini Foundation.

"This is the latest, state-of-theart camera out there," Jones says. "It enhances the pictures of the heart that we take during stress tests, for example.

"Radiologists see the pictures in color, and because they are digital, can manipulate images for better viewing. Also, the maneuverability of the camera allows us to accommodate patients on a stretcher or in a wheelchair."

Unlike other imaging technologies like x-ray or MRI that provide structural or geographic information, nuclear medicine detects activity on a molecular level. The system works by detecting benign radiation emitted from a radioisotope given to a patient.

Once inside the patient, the radioisotope is attracted to a specific organ or area of the body and highlights the area to be examined, thus permitting images of the internal body structures and other functions.

The department is pursuing ACR-accreditation in nuclear medicine, as well, Jones adds.

Digital Radiography Room
With immediate availability of digital images, the hospital's digital radiography room enables radiographic exams to be conducted much faster. This is particularly crucial when images are needed quickly before emergency surgery or while treating a trauma patient.

"It takes so much less time to get the image we need, so we can actually reduce radiation exposure to our patients," Jones says.

Illini is planning a second digital radiography room, for the hospital's Emergency Department, or E.D.

"We are a Level 2 Trauma Center, and this will increase the throughput for our patients," Jones says. "We currently have an X-ray room in the E.D., but it's not a digital room. Although the current system provides a computerized image, it still has to be processed."

Jones adds, "With a digital radiography room in the E.D., we will literally take the picture and immediately see it on the computer screen -- decreasing the time to obtain an image by 75 percent or more. That reduced time can make the difference in outcomes, particularly for our trauma patients."

From 3D/4D ultrasound, to MRI and multi-slice CT scans, to being the first in the Illinois Quad Cities to offer digital mammography, the Illini Campus can perform specialty exams and is dedicated to quality patient care and satisfaction.

For information regarding radiology services at the Illini Campus, call (309) 792-4256.