Lions Club learns about new lifesaving equipment at Baptist Health MC-Malvern
The Lions Club heard about new life-saving equipment coming to the Baptist Health Medical Center in Malvern at their regular Tuesday meeting last week, held as always at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.
David Hennessee, Regional Director of Radiology for Baptist Health, stopped by to share details about new MRI and mammography equipment that will allow local residents to get crucial and more accurate services close to home, instead of having to travel to other parts of the state.
The facility’s new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, the Philips Ambition 1.5T, is said to be one of the best available options on the market. Using this machine, radiologists can achieve better image clarity and resolution. Not only that, but this system provides superior patient comfort and safety compared to other models.
The MRI utilizes a helium-free, permanent magnet system for improved accuracy and performance. This is achieved by providing an ultra-low field level that produces clearer images with less noise than traditional magnets.
This Philips Ambition 1.5T also features an advanced design, which makes it much easier to operate. Its lightweight and slim profile provide superior maneuverability around the patient, while its ergonomic shape is designed for maximum comfort.
Hennessee said the MRI equipment coming to the Malvern medical center is similar to what the facility in Arkadelphia uses, but with a few upgrades. He said the Malvern facility will also have a new mammography machine on-site very soon.
“Our new mammography equipment is a Hologic Selenia Dimensions and has 3D and tomographic capabilities,” Hennessee explained in an email correspondence after the meeting. “It is cutting-edge technology and will produce higher quality, more detailed images.”
A 3D mammography exam provides better, earlier breast cancer detection for patients. 3D mammography finds about 20 to 30 percent more cancers compared to 2D mammography since a cancer is less likely to be hidden by normal breast tissue. 3D mammography has been found to decrease the recall rate, so a patient is less likely
to be asked to return for additional views by about 30 to 40 percent.
A 3D mammogram is almost identical to a conventional 2D exam. The positioning is the same, and it only takes a few seconds longer than a 2D mammogram. The 3D machine takes multiple thin images through the breasts in order to see through normal dense tissue better than a 2D exam can.
The new equipment coming to Bhmc-malvern should be installed and accessible to the public in the near future. The facility will likely hold an Open House event for people to check out the new equipment once it’s up and running. More info on the Open House will the shared when it is made available.
For more information about the Baptist Health System, call 1-888-BAPTIST (1888-227-8478) or visit baptist-health.com. And for more info about the Malvern facility’s new equipment, call 501332-1000.
About Baptist Health Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 points of access that include 11 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community and over 100 primary and specialty care clinics in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The system additionally offers a college with studies in nursing and allied health; a graduate residency program; and access to virtual care anytime, anywhere.
Baptist Health, as the largest not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, provides care to patients wherever they are through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs.