ELIZABETHTOWN — A high-tech radiology lab equipped with state-of-the art equipment has been added to Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

The heart of the new lab is a GE Precision 500D digital radiography unit, which combined with the computerized radiography program, gives the hospital a state-of-the-art, fully digital X-ray room. This will be reflected in a decreased total exam time for patients, as well as increased productivity and efficiency of staff, hospital officials said.

Since the images are digital, they are sent instantly to radiologists at the Community Hospital or to Plattsburgh to be viewed on their digital workstation, which decreases evaluation and report times.

“The new equipment is much more user friendly, especially with the ease of movement,” said Molly Thompson, ECH medical imaging director. “There is more detail in the images, and another benefit is that the images go into the PAC (picture archival communication) system.”

The GE unit takes fully digital fluoroscopy exams that are used to diagnose patients by displaying the movement of a body part, such as the stomach. Like most new equipment, this unit increases consistency in images and has user friendly controls to help decrease errors and, ultimately, patient radiation exposure. The new equipment replaces existing equipment that is nearly 30 years old.

Thompson also noted that the new system is safer, especially for pediatric patients. Another benefit is the equipment can take rapid images, such as showing a patient swallowing during an upper GI study. Since the computer is pre-programmed, it also reduces tech errors.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” Thompson said.

“Digital technology is really the way to go with the studies that involve imaging patient functions, such as swallowing,” said Dr. Anthony Conti, chief radiologist at ECH. “The system will allow us to capture the image we want quicker, which in turn causes less radiation exposure to the patient. The non-digital units require movement of mechanical parts and this causes a delay in capturing the image, consequently it may take a few tries to capture the specific image the radiologist wants."

The purchase of the new radiology unit was made possible through a grant from the Charles R. Wood Foundation of Glens Falls.

“On behalf of the Hospital Board of Directors, medical staff and employees, I would like to thank the Wood Foundation for investing in the health of our communities,” said Rodney Boula, administrator/CEO. “This grant has enabled the hospital to bring state of the art technology to Essex County and enhance the care that we provide to our patients.”

Installation of the GE model is part of a department remodel and hospital-wide renovation project. Boula said the hospital would also like to recognize GE, W.J. Murray Electric and Pizzagalli Construction for their coordinated efforts to get the radiology room ready and available for patients.

E-mail Alvin Reiner at:

rondackrambler@yahoo.com