Ultrasound imager will improve services for Julian Road breast center patients
Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 8, 2018
- Novant Health's mobile mammography unit has 3-D imaging equipment, an earlier improvement in local services.
Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Foundation purchases imager to reduce wait for diagnostic, biopsy procedures
SALISBURY – The gift of a second breast ultrasound imager should decrease the wait time for women who need diagnostic ultrasounds and ultrasound biopsies in Rowan County, according to officials with the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Foundation.
The foundation purchased the ultrasound imager for the Novant Health Imaging Julian Road breast center at a cost of $134,805. The center began using the ultrasound unit with two breast transducers in February.
The addition of the second ultrasound unit will allow the breast center to better meet patient demand for ultrasound services. It is expected to increase the number of ultrasound-guided breast biopsies the center can perform by more than 300 a year and increase the number of diagnostic ultrasounds following mammograms by almost 800 a year.
Before the addition of the second ultrasound unit, some patients experienced longer-than-optimal wait times for breast ultrasounds and ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, or for an ultrasound following a diagnostic mammogram at the clinic.
“We know that waiting for a diagnostic ultrasound to rule out suspicious findings can cause anxiety for many women,” said Rick Parker, executive director of the Rowan Medical Center Foundation. “The addition of a second breast ultrasound imager will not only reduce wait times for these services but enhance the overall level of breast diagnostic services available in our community.”
Imaging Julian Road, a premier location for and breast imaging services, began offering tomosynthesis — also known as 3-D mammography — in 2016, and in 2017 added a mobile van that offers 3-D mammography. The addition of these services also led to a greater need for access to breast ultrasound follow-up imaging.
The breast ultrasound unit was paid for through gifts to the Rowan Medical Center Foundation. All gifts to the foundation remain in the community and are used for the specific donor’s intended purpose.
Questions about the Rowan Medical Center Foundation or the second breast ultrasound unit can be directed to Parker at rdparker@novanthealth.org or 704-210-6884.
