| BHS Invests in Digital Mammography |
| September 14, 2009 For Immediate Release BERKSHIRE HEALTH SYSTEMS PROVIDES DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY AT BMC AND FAIRVIEW PITTSFIELD, MA – Berkshire Health Systems offers the latest breast imaging technology for early detection and screening for breast cancer with the introduction of digital mammography. BHS has installed three digital mammography machines – two at the Women’s Imaging Center at Berkshire Medical Center and one at Fairview Hospital. The new digital mammography units are manufactured by General Electric. Digital mammography provides enhanced breast images with improved clarity and contrast, in comparison to traditional analog mammography, and can significantly reduce the exam time to help minimize patient anxiety and discomfort while also lowering the number of recall mammography exams. The new digital mammography system works seamlessly with the comprehensive Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system utilized by Berkshire Health Systems at BMC and Fairview, which features the use of a Picture Archival Communications System, or PACS, also from GE. PACS stores advanced imaging exams, such as MRI, CT scans and others, in digital, filmless format. With the addition of digital mammography, Radiology services at BMC and Fairview is now film-free. “From a physician standpoint, digital mammography provides me with many additional viewing options and the ability to enhance certain areas of the breast to get a more precise look,” said Dr. Lisa Loring, Medical Director of the Women’s Imaging Center at BMC. “With digital technology, I can zoom in and out, and the contrast can be changed. Digital images give the physician better visibility of the breast, especially near the skin line, the chest wall and in women with dense tissue.” A four-year national study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute comparing digital versus film mammography stated that women with dense breasts, those who are pre or peri-menopausal, and women who are younger than the age of 50 may benefit from having a digital rather than film mammogram. BHS conducted a comprehensive review of the clinical and cost-efficiency benefits that come from conversion to digital mammography prior to choosing GE as the vendor for the new technology. GE was selected, in part, based on its satisfaction-based performance among users of digital mammography, which evaluated system performance, reliability, installation and implementation, applications training, service response and repair quality. Digital mammography is an important addition to Berkshire Health Systems’ commitment to state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and its focus on early detection and prevention. |
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