The Adena Health System Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services is fully accredited by the College of American Pathologists and the American Association of Blood Banks. The department has extensive internal and external quality control programs that meet and/or exceed all current federal and state requirements.
The laboratory is staffed 24 hours/day, seven days/week, to perform needed laboratory services. Pathologists are available in the laboratory during normal day shift hours during the week. Pathologists are available on-call at all other times. They can be reached through the laboratory or the hospital operator.
With more than 18,000 square feet of functional space, Radiology Services at Adena Regional Medical Center provides state-of-the-art technology, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scans); SPECT Nuclear Imaging; Acuson Ultrasound, ultra low-dose mammography, MRI and state of the art CT scanners.
The department staff includes five full-time, board-certified or board-eligible diagnostic radiologists, who engage in team-oriented health care delivery. Radiology staff members are registered technologists in each of their modalities. This provides the most current education to supplement the state-of-the-art technology. Technologists are encouraged to stay abreast of developments in their fields in order to provide the highest level of patient care. More than 70,000 procedures are performed each year, with increasing growth in referrals and outpatient services.
Diagnostic radiology services are also provided at Greenfield Area Medical Center and at Adena Health Centers in Chillicothe, Jackson and Waverly.
Below are some common radiology services that are provided by physicians and technologists at Adena Health System.
Lower Gastrointestinal Study (Barium Enema)
A Lower GI Study (also known as barium enema) is an X-ray exam used to look at the colon (large bowel). Because X-rays cannot usually detect soft tissues, such as your colon, barium is placed into the colon to allow X-ray films to be made. The barium is harmless and passes through the body within 24 to 48 hours.
The exam takes about 30 minutes to perform and is conducted by trained technologists who insert a small, flexible tube into the rectum. This allows the barium to enter the colon. A radiologist administers the barium into the colon. X-ray films of the colon are taken. The technologist makes follow-up films of the entire colon.
The barium is drained from the colon. The body will eliminate any barium not passed at this time within 24 to 48 hours. Patients may experience a white-colored stool during this time.
A post evacuation film is taken to show how well the colon has emptied the barium. The films are read by the radiologist.
Quantitative CT for Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD)
A Quantitative CT for Bone Mineral Densitometry, or QCT-BMD for short, uses a CT scanner to produce a cross-sectional image of the spine. From these images, a bone density measurement can be calculated. This measurement is placed on a graph of high, moderate or low bone density measurements. From the graph, a report is generated that shows normal vs. low bone density.
The bone density measurement can help in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition of the bones that makes them less dense and enlarges the spaces between the minerals of the bone.
Most scans take from 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are conducted by a specially trained technologist. Patients lie on a table that is attached to the CT Scanner. The lower back/lumbar spine area is imaged. The patient is positioned in the middle of a large doughnut-shaped ring. This ring holds the X-ray tube and the detectors that send information to the computer.
Exam results are interpreted by a radiologist.
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT Scan)
A CAT Scanner is a type of X-ray machine that uses a special computer to take pictures of sections of the body. A CAT scan is different from a regular X-ray because it can take pictures of a body structure one section at a time. This method can be utilized to show bone and/or soft tissue.
Most CAT scans take between 15 and 45 minutes to complete, depending upon the body part and type of scan and are conducted by a specially trained technologist. Patients are asked to lie on a table that is connected to the CAT scan machine. The part of the body that is to be imaged is positioned in the middle of large doughnut-shaped ring. This ring holds the X-ray tube and the electronic detectors that send information to the computer.
CAT scans may require one or more contrast agents to help highlight the body structures.
CAT scan images are read by a radiologist.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
An IVP is an X-ray exam that is done to look at the renal system (kidneys, ureters and bladder). This exam is done using an IV iodine contrast.
IVP exam times vary for each patient. However, patients should plan to spend at least an hour in the department.
Patients are asked to lie on an X-ray table. A picture of the kidneys is taken by the technologist. This is called a scout film.
After some screening questions have been asked, the technologist places a small needle in the arm in order to inject a contrast that highlights the renal system. The technologist then takes timed films to check the flow of the renal system.
The films are checked by a radiologist to ensure the exam is complete. After completed, the films are read by the radiologist.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Adena Regional Medical Center is proud to offer the community both traditional high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and state of the art Open MRI. Open MRI is especially helpful for those patients who suffer from claustrophobia or who have been unable to undergo traditional MRI because of other physical limitations.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides sharp, clear, three-dimensional views of internal body structures, often eliminating the need for invasive surgery.
MRI scans allow doctors to view organs, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bones, nerves and even blood flow. MRI is frequently used to image the brain, spinal column, breast, abdomen, pelvic region and joints.
There are two equally important components to an MRI scan – the equipment and technologists who conduct the exam and the physicians who interpret them. Adena Health System is proud to provide South Central Ohio with the most advanced equipment in MRI scanning available today.
Our Picker Eclipse Highfield MRI System provides superb quality laser images utilizing a state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla short-bore magnet. The system offers several enhancements for patient comfort, including shorter scan times, a larger patient table, and an integrated stereo/CD player with patient headphones.
MRI scans are interpreted, or "read" by specially trained physicians, called radiologists. To the experienced eyes of the radiologist, the MRI scan provides a wealth of information. The Radiologists on staff at Adena Health System are board-certified in Radiology and have extensive experience in reading and interpreting MRI scans. Adena Health System and its Radiologists have provided MRI services for more than a decade.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a relatively new imaging tool, first used in the 1970s. Because of its superior images, flexibility, and ability to image body structures that could not be otherwise imaged, MRI has proved to be a valuable diagnostic tool.
MRI is safe and painless, more so than virtually any other procedure. It uses simple, everyday magnetic forces and the radio waves naturally given off by all tissues in the body. The MRI unit collects this data and sends it to a very powerful computer that develops a very detailed picture of your internal organs. No radiation or physical exertion is required. All patients need to do is remain still during the exam. Depending on the number of images required, the total exam time is usually 20 to 40 minutes.
The MRI units are conveniently located at Adena Regional Medical Center, Chillicothe. Services are provided from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Emergency MRI scans are conducted on-call. A physician order is required for an MRI scan.
Nuclear Medicine Scan
A Nuclear Medicine Scan is a test using a radioactive tracer to view certain organs of the body. The pictures are taken using a gamma camera. The pictures are stored on X-ray film for a radiologist to read.
Each exam time may vary based on what type of scan is ordered and the part of the body involved. Scans can take from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Some scans require patients to return each day for up to three days.
A specially trained technologist conducts the exam.
Nuclear medicine scans are done using a tracer that is placed in the body by either swallowing a capsule, inhaling into the lungs, or an IV injection into a vein. Pictures are obtained by using a gamma camera. In most cases, the gamma camera comes very close to the body and may touch the patient lightly.
The films are read by a radiologist.
Upper GI
An Upper GI is an X-ray exam used to look at the esophagus and stomach. Because X-rays cannot usually detect the soft tissues of the gastrointestinal tract, patients are asked to drink an oral contrast, called barium, in order to highlight the tract.
The exam takes about 15 minutes to perform.
A radiologist gives the patient barium to drink while pictures are taken of the esophagus and stomach. After the radiologist's exam, the technologist follows up with pictures of the stomach.
The barium is naturally cleared by the body within 24 to 48 hours.
The tests are read by the radiologist.
