INFORMED DECISIONS
INFORMED DECISIONS
Effective, safe, and high-quality diagnostic imaging, especially X-ray based examinations and ultra-sonography, is crucial for medical decision-making and can reduce unnecessary procedures.
Diagnostic Imaging
Our diagnostic teams are on call 24/7 for patients who are hospitalized or being treated in the Emergency Department, however anyone can take advantage of our diagnostic services, even if your physician is off island.
Just have your physician send your orders directly to us. Once we receive the orders, you can call and schedule an appointment.
With state-of-the-art imaging equipment and innovative treatment options, our licensed Imaging Technologists are dedicated to providing exceptional patient care at each of our imaging locations.
The list below includes many of the diverse diagnostic services available at one or more of our facilities. Not all services are available at every location, so please contact us to confirm which facility is best for your needs.
- Bone DensityScanning
- Breast MRI Scan and Biopsy
- Computed Tomography (CT)**
- DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorbtiometry)
- Digital Mammography (2D and 3D Mammography available. Click Here.)
- Screening Exams*
- Diagnostic Exams
- Stereotactic Biopsy
- Preoperative Wire Localization
- Echocardiography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Nuclear Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-ray*
REQUEST FILMS
If you would like copies of your films to be sent to your provider, please call the Diagnostic Imaging film room directly at 360.678.7656 ext. 5004
Nuclear Medicine
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology. Unlike diagnostic X-ray, where the external radiation is passed through the body to form an image, nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, to examine organ function and structure. In a sense, Nuclear medicine imaging is "radiology done inside out" or "endoradiology" because it records radiation emitting from within the body.
WhidbeyHealth Nuclear Medicine team uses cutting edge techniques that exploit the way the body handles substances differently when there is disease or pathology present.
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans are the two most common imaging modalities in nuclear medicine.
Below is a partial list of the nuclear medical procedures available at WhidbeyHealth:
- Bone Scans (cancer detection, joint prosthesis, stress fractures, inflammation and arthritis)
- Myocardial Perfusion Scans (cardiac ischemia, coronary artery disease)
- Gastric Emptying (stomach function and emptying rate)
- Thyroid scans (thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism, nodules, function levels)
- Lung Scans (pulmonary blood clots, COPD, pre-surgical evaluation)
- Renal Scans (kidney function and excretion rate)
- Gall Bladder, sometimes referred to as HIDA scans (various gall bladder disease states and physiologic dysfunction of the gall bladder)
- Lymph Node Localization (breast cancer and melanoma staging)
Lung Cancer Screening
SCREENING FOR LUNG CANCER
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, partly due to the inability to detect the disease early with the traditional chest x-ray screening.
Thanks to advanced lung cancer screening technology, smokers and past smokers may have a new lease on a long life. This radiation screening, which is officially called Low Dose CT (Computed Tomography) Lung Screening, can detect tumors that 80 percent of chest x-rays don’t reveal.
WhidbeyHealth Medical Center's Diagnostic Imaging department offers cutting-edge, low-dose radiation lung cancer screenings in partnership with Skaggit Radiology.
The test itself takes about five minutes and identifies tumors in high-risk patients, while a tumor may still be curable with surgery. Low dose CT screening has the potential to reduce the number of deaths from cancer in the U.S. by a whopping 20 percent. But is the screening right for you?
Known Risks
KNOWN RISKS
Some of the known risk factors for developing lung cancer include anyone who:
- Has smoked a pack or more of cigarettes per day for at least
10 years - Was a former smoker within the past 15 years
- Has had heavy exposure to second-hand smoke or other
cancer-causing agents for at least 10 years - Has a family history of lung cancer
- Smokes a pipe or cigars
You're Covered
YOU'RE COVERED
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, Medicare will cover lung cancer screening with Low Dose CT once per year for Medicare beneficiaries who meet all of the following criteria:
- They are age 55-77, and are either current smokers or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
- They have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 “pack years” (an average of one pack a day for 30 years)
- They receive a written order from a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner that meets certain requirements
Talk to your primary care provider, who must order the CT screening for you. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for your visit. Although this new technology is not covered by all insurance carriers, changes are being made for 2016 regarding coverage of the screening under insurance plans and Medicare.
To schedule a CT Lung Screening at the Diagnostic Imaging department, please call Central Scheduling Services 360.678.7607 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
NEW HOURS
NEW HOURS
Our diagnostic imaging hours have expanded with the addition of our imaging and lab services in our new Walk-In Clinic Clinton.
Medical Center Imaging hours:
- MRI – Monday - Saturday 7 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.
- ECHO –Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.to 3:30 p.m. (no call/coverage on the weekends)
- Nuclear Medicine –Monday-Friday 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.
- Ultrasound – currently offering 24/7
- Mammography – Monday-Friday 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment at the Medical Center call Central Scheduling Services: 360.678.7607.
Walk-in Clinic Clinton Imaging and Lab hours:
- Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
You do NOT NEED AN APPOINTMENT for Diagnostic imaging or Lab services at the Walk-in Clinic. Just send or bring orders from your doctor with you.
You can reach the clinic at: 360.341.5252.
