Nuclear medicine gets a boost at RRH

Patients, staff, and physicians alike are thrilled with the enhanced capabilities of the new nuclear camera procured by the RRH Radiology Department.

Nuclear medicine is a specialty that uses small amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat diseases. It differs from conventional X-rays by providing images of organ and tissue function rather than, instead of structure only.

At RRH, the camera can be used for procedures like cardiac imaging and bone scans.

“We are so excited to have our new camera up and running!” said Lisa Sparland, Lead Imaging Tech at RRH. “We had a great run with our prior Nuclear Medicine camera, but technology moves so quickly in the imaging world that the new purpose was necessary in order to continue providing the most up-to-date and best patient care to our community.”

She and Paul Chiaravalle, chief nuclear medicine technologist, are glad RRH was able to move ahead with the new purchase.

“Our patients have been excited, too,” said Chiaravalle. The images are clearer, the tests require a much smaller dose of radiation, and the faster scanning capability will allow the hospital to conduct twice as many procedures in a day.

“We also have a new table limit of 500 pounds, where it used to be 350 pounds,” said Sparland.

Completion of the installation has also allowed RRH to resume its mobile PET scan services. “We have PET scanning here for two days every other week,” said Sparland. “We had to put that on hold for construction, but now that is back up and running as well.

“At the beginning of our fiscal crisis in 2022, suspending nonessential capital investments was an important strategy we implemented as part of our hospital recovery,” said Jim Suver, RRH CEO. “As we have improved our financials, we are beginning to invest in the equipment that improves healthcare delivery for our patients. This is just one of many milestones that we are grateful to experience on our revival.”