New MRI unit off to a healthy start

 

Palmer Lutheran Health Center Radiology Department staff members including Supervisor Jayne Soppe and Mindy Balk (seated) look forward to treating an increased number of patients on a daily basis after the recent installation of an MRI unit at the West Union health facility. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

New MRI unit off to a healthy start

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

In its first month of operation, 35 patients were drawn to the new MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) unit at Palmer Lutheran Health Center (PLHC) in West Union. Understandably, Radiology Department supervisor Jayne Soppe feels the new full-time service at the local hospital got off to a healthy start.

“It is now so much more convenient for our patients. There is such a short wait to be served, and they no longer have to walk outside and into possibly inclement weather conditions to get to the former mobile unit,” said Soppe, while explaining that a mobile MRI unit previously scheduled stops at PLHC only on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

  “The MRI patients not only have less distance to travel and a more comfortable experience, but our radiology staff now has the opportunity to more fully utilize their education and skill sets,” PLHC Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tanya Tysland later added. “It is also a huge benefit to our physicians, who can now provide even better quality care and access related to MRI services here in West Union.”

The GE Optima MRI unit cost approximately $1.05 million, with an additional $450,000 in modifications to the Radiology Department. While more comfortably accommodating larger patients, the unit reduces acoustic noise for brain, spine, and MSK exams without compromising image quality.

Soppe noted that the new equipment is equal in quality to that found at major hospitals like Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse and thus provides clearer, more accurate images for the doctors’ analysis.

“It’s another example of our (PLHC) board of directors, administrators, and staff putting their best efforts forward to provide our patients with the most updated technological advances available,” she added. “We treat our family and friends here, and we want them to have the very best.”

“We (PLHC and Gundersen-West Union Clinic) are centrally located to other surrounding health facilities,” agreed Tysland, who also serves as interim clinic manager for Gundersen clinics in West Union, Fayette and Postville. “I feel each of the core services offered here is not only a benefit to our facility, but having them here, closer to home, is a huge benefit to our patients.”

Soppe reported that the remodeling effort required at PLHC for the new MRI unit took approximately two months to complete. The project included lining the walls with copper prior to the installation of drywall. The unit itself was installed and tested within an additional week.

To fully manage the MRI services, Radiology Department members Mindy Balk, Kelly Baxter, and lead MRI staff member Patty Straube completed eight months of required home-study education and an additional week of on-site training. Straube and Balk also completed two weeks of additional training in Milwaukee.

An MRI is a procedure used in hospitals to scan patients in order to determine the severity of certain injuries. An MRI unit uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body. Common reasons people go in to get an MRI are for a sprained ankle or back pain symptoms.

Soppe stressed that patients do not have to utilize an area provider to undergo an MRI at the local health center. As long as a health provider orders the MRI and insurance is certified, the patient will be provided the service.

Among the few patients who cannot be served are those with older pacemakers, heart stents, etc.

In addition to completing an extensive screening form, patients are checked with a hand-held wand and walk-through metal detector before being allowed to enter the MRI room.

Palmer Lutheran Health Center’s MRI service is currently available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The service hours will be extended with the completion of additional staff training and as the needs of  the community increase.   

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