Imaging Services
Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services strives to stay at the forefront of technology to offer its patients access to high-quality diagnostic imaging tools. In addition to inpatient imaging services, they also offer a large variety of outpatient diagnostic services to patients, including CT scans, nuclear medicine, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and radiography, including diagnostic X-rays and digital fluoroscopy.
Imaging Facilities
Procedures including MRI, CT Scan, R/F Radiology, and ultrasounds are performed at Ozarks Healthcare Imaging at Ozarks Healthcare's main campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ozarks Healthcare Mammography, dedicated to giving women the information they need to be active participants in their own health care, is also located inside Ozarks Healthcare's main entrance at 1100 Kentucky Ave. in West Plains.
In addition to our dedication to technological advancement, Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services continually strives to find better ways to serve physicians and healthcare providers. This includes delivering high-quality patient care and having all examination results read by board-certified radiologists. All radiologic technologists employed by Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services are board-certified, with many having advanced certifications in CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound.
A teleradiology system implemented at Ozarks Healthcare in the past year allows Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services to send images to the homes of its radiologists and other health care facilities to get quicker interpretations. Teleradiology benefits patients because they are able to get a diagnosis faster in a middle-of-the-night emergency or have quicker access to a second consultation.
Teleradiology technology is used to send images from CT scans, MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine imaging. For more information on imaging services offered at Ozarks Healthcare, call 417-256-9111 ext. 2881.
MRI
An MRI is a diagnostic imaging tool which uses a large electromagnet, radio frequency pulses and a computer to form in-depth images of different parts of the body. Occasionally, a contrast substance is injected intravenously to enhance the visibility of organs and vascular structures.
MRI has many advantages over traditional X-rays and CT scans, including the ability to get an excellent image without exposure to radiation and the ability to produce images of the body from a variety of angles to help the radiologist and physician make a faster and more precise diagnosis.
The MRI machine at Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services is a closed MRI unit with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. Closed MRI units, in comparison with open units, offer patients quality images in a shorter period of time due to the larger magnet strength. All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologics (AART) and are board-certified in MRI and radiography.
Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services offers MRI scans on Saturdays to better accommodate patients, who may have personal and business commitments during the workweek.
For more information on MRI services offered by Ozarks Healthcare, call 417-256-9111 ext. 3369.
Nuclear Medicine
The Nuclear Medicine Department at Ozarks Healthcare has two nuclear medicine cameras that are interfaced to provide the highest quality images. Ozarks Healthcare's new GE Millennium MG nuclear medicine camera integrates state-of-the-art computer technology and superior image quality to allow physicians to see multiple views of the body and have more access to information for making diagnoses.
The camera is used to do a variety of nuclear medicine procedures, including myocardial perfusions (thallium stress test), bone scans, lung scans, and thyroid, gallbladder, and renal imaging. During a nuclear medicine procedure, a small amount of radioactive material is given to the patient through injection or by swallowing. As the radioactive material travels through the body, images are taken to allow the radiologist to see how different organs of the body are functioning.
The dual-head camera allows radiologists to take two images at the same time, cutting down dramatically on the amount of time it would normally take to do a scan. This speed allows radiologists to get quicker images in an emergency situation and schedule more patients.
Camera images are sent to a computer and software is used to manipulate the images so the radiologist and the patient's physician can get a closer look at the body organ they are studying. The camera is able to obtain high-quality images of the cardiac system, including images that show how much blood the heart is actually pumping in a given time period.
All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in nuclear medicine and radiography.
For more information on nuclear medicine procedures offered by Ozarks Healthcare, call 417-256-9111 ext. 3358.
CT Scan
A "CT" or "CAT" scan is a radiologic test known as computerized tomography. During the procedure, a patient lies on a padded bed while a thin X-ray beam rotates around the area of the body chosen to be examined. This generates a 3-D image of the internal structures of the body to give the radiologist or physician information about how internal body organs are functioning.
At Ozarks Healthcare, CT scans are used to perform a variety of examinations, including bone densitometry exams, which allows for earlier detection of bone loss often associated with Osteoporosis; as well as detection of cancer, abnormalities of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, vascular studies and radiation planning for oncology. Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services is a member of the Ozarks Healthcare Stroke Team and partners with emergency services and the Ozarks Healthcare Neurosciences Center to offer stroke patients emergency treatment when brought to the Ozarks Healthcare Emergency Department.
All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiography.
For more information on CT scanning procedures offered at Ozarks Healthcare, call 417-256-9111 Ext. 3371.
Mammography
Ozarks Healthcare Mammography is an FDA-certified mammography center and is accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Services include mammography, breast ultrasound, diagnostic work-ups, needle localization for surgical biopsies, stereotactic biopsies, and ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies. The staff currently performs about 350 procedures a month.
In 2001, Ozarks Healthcare Mammography began offering stereotactic breast biopsies as an alternative to open surgical biopsies. The outpatient procedure is performed in less than an hour and allows women to return to their normal routine immediately afterward. The procedure involves the one-time insertion of a probe directly into the area of the breast that appears suspicious based on a physical exam or a mammogram finding. The probe is guided to the area through the use of stereotactic imaging, which is able to pinpoint, from several different angles, the exact location of the mass that needs to be biopsied. Small samples of tissue are then removed from the area for examination.
Our highly professional Mammography Department, along with our experienced staff radiologists, are happy to give the community of West Plains and surrounding areas a Full-Field Digital Mammography experience with Hologic units in two rooms. We are privileged to offer screening and diagnostic mammograms. We also perform needle localizations, cyst aspirations, stereotactic, and ultrasound breast biopsy procedures.
Women do not need a physician's referral to schedule a mammogram. To schedule one, call 417-257-5901. To learn more about services offered by Ozarks Healthcare Mammography, call 417-257-5881.
Radiology
Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services offers a number of general diagnostic radiology procedures utilizing computed radiography (CR), including plain films; upper and low gastrointestinal fluoroscopy; spinal myelograms; used to visualize abnormalities within the spinal canal, cystrograrams, used to see images of the urinary tract and bladder; hystrosalphigograms, used to look for blockages in the fallopian tubes; and digital fluoroscopy, which involves the use of filmless images.
Mobile fluoroscopy units are used by Imaging Services in Ozarks Healthcare Surgical Services and the Emergency Department to allow physicians to see real-time images while performing surgical procedures, emergency treatment, or while administering pain management injections. All technologists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
For more information about general radiology services offered at Ozarks Healthcare Imaging Services, call 417-256-9111 ext. 3358.
