Your team of experts in Imaging Services
Once your physician recommends imaging services for you, you’ll probably find yourself in the care of some new faces—the physicians, nurses, and imaging technologists who specialize in x-ray and other imaging technologies. At Salem Hospital, you can expect a team that is highly skilled and well respected.
The physicians
The radiology physicians, or radiologists, interpret the results of your examination. They also perform certain procedures, such as biopsies and stent implantations to open narrowed vessels, and review cases with doctors from other specialty areas to ensure the overall quality and performance of the radiology team.
Unique to Salem Hospital is its large staff of radiologists—one of the larger groups in Oregon. The group is represented by six different subspecialties, covering all of the different imaging specialties that are used today. “All of our radiologists have their own area of expertise,” says David Farthing, M.D., who specializes in neuro radiology. “So we have enough people from a variety of sub-specialties to determine the most accurate diagnosis of the patient.”
In addition, this team of radiologists has a great breadth of experience. “Because we are in the hospital setting, we see a large of volume of patients with a variety of different needs,” says José Novoa, M.D., who specializes in nuclear medicine. “That experience helps in getting the proper diagnosis.”
The imaging technologists
Working closely with the physicians are the imaging technologists. Just like the radiologists, the technologists have specialized training and certifications for their area of expertise. They
perform imaging exams, including x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, mammograms, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound procedures. (For explanations of these exams, see the accompanying story on page 4, “Imaging Today.”) They also assist the radiologists in performing angiography procedures.
Imaging technologists receive formal training and typically study human anatomy, physiology, radiation safety, chemistry, and other pertinent subjects. All imaging technologists at Salem Hospital are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the Nuclear Medicine Technology Board, or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
If you come in for one of these procedures, an imaging technologist will prepare you for the exam, explain the procedure, and help you get into the right position for the exam. The technologists work with the radiologists to ensure that the best images possible are being taken for your specific exam and medical problem.
The nurses
The nurses who work in imaging services often assist in interventional procedures, such as biopsies, draining fluids, or inserting catheters. If you find yourself in need of one of these procedures, most likely, you will be sedated, and the nurse will administer medications intravenously.
A nurse may also review and record your status throughout the procedure, and talk with your doctor about your specific patient-care needs. He or she will also provide you with educational information related to your radiology procedure.
“After working in various units of the hospital, I find this field of nursing particularly rewarding,” says Katina Hatzantonis, R.N. “It is satisfying to know that the work we do provides patients with treatment options that are quicker and less invasive than ever before. Before the current technology was available, surgery was often the only way to see inside the body and diagnose disease.”
Although we hope you will never need our imaging services, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands if your physician determines there is a need for diagnostic imaging.
