Box Butte General Hospital Expands Imaging Services for Faster Results and Advanced Breast Cancer Detection
Box Butte General Hospital is expanding its diagnostic imaging services to give patients faster results, enhanced breast cancer detection, and continued access to specialized care close to home! Through a new partnership with Casper Medical Imaging (CMI), the department has updated processes and will be offering new services and better patient care. “We are excited about this new partnership and the benefits that we will be able to bring to our community,” said Diagnostic Imaging Manager Leslie Hulquist. Some of these services include continued fluoroscopy services which is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create real-time, moving images of internal bodily structures. This acts like a “movie” rather than a still photo, and it can be used to evaluate conditions related to swallowing and GI issues. “BBGH is one of a few facilities in the Nebraska Panhandle that continues to offer fluoroscopy,” said Hulquist.
With the help of CMI, BBGH is implementing new software to help increase the detection of breast cancer and also an enhanced patient history intake that calculates the patients’ risk assessment to help us better optimize patients’ breast care. “We know that early detection can save lives,” said Hulquist, “and we encourage all patients to schedule their mammogram by age 40.”
Another highly anticipated change is the reintroduction of Dr. Mike Yung to the team! Dr. Yung cared for patients at BBGH before and is looking forward to returning for diagnostic services. “I am especially happy to return to BBGH and to offer telehealth options for patients who need results faster,” said Dr. Yung. With telehealth options, patients will have faster results and direct conversations to help reduce uncertainty, especially in mammography studies. “We want patients with concerning mammogram results or abnormal breast concerns to be seen and get answers as quick as possible,” said Hulquist. Diagnostic mammography services will now be available four days a week.
CMI also offers multiple sub-specialty radiologists including breast radiology, neuroradiology, and musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology. This ensures that all studies are interpreted by a specialized radiologist which leads to more accurate readings and better reviews of patient images. There are also training opportunities for the BBGH staff to learn and enhance their cross-training into other imaging modalities. Along with the new services and radiologists, there will also be updates to the department’s space. A remodeled ultrasound room will allow for updated and expanded ultrasound services.
Patients who receive services at BBGH will receive separate billing from CMI. Because these studies are read and recorded by another organization, a separate bill will be sent from the CMI facility for radiology interpretations. BBGH will continue to bill the technical study fee charges. If patients have questions about their billing, they can contact CMI at 307-265-1620 or BBGH’s Patient Finance Services at 308-761-3410. For more information about CMI, visit caspermedicalimaging.net.