NEW ALBANY, Miss., June 11, 2009 – Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County recently announced the addition of Fuji’s Computed Radiography for Mammography system to its services.

Digital mammography, a mammogram that uses new detection technologies and computers instead of film, was found in a landmark clinical study of more than 42,000 women to be better than film-screen mammography in detecting breast cancer in three groups: women under 50, pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal women and women with dense breasts. Digital mammograms are 15 percent more accurate among women under age 50 or not yet in menopause and 11 percent more accurate among women with dense breasts.

The procedure for a digital mammogram is the same as for a conventional film mammogram; however, since the images are available almost immediately and no film development time is necessary, the wait time for the patient is less.

Baptist Union County also uses Fuji’s Synapse® PACS, or Picture Archiving and Communication System, which enables the digital mammograms to be electronically viewed, transmitted and stored. Synapse enables the interpreting radiologist to use digital tools to electronically enhance and magnify the images and to adjust the contrast to better examine any suspicious areas, which reduces the need for the patient to be called back for additional exposures. The PACS also facilitates long-distance consultations with other specialists since the digital images can be readily transmitted to other facilities. They can also be transferred to a CD if a patient needs to take them to another facility.

“The benefits we are experiencing with Fuji’s digital mammography are not only allowing us to do our jobs more effectively and efficiently but, more importantly, they are enabling us to provide the top level of care for our breast imaging patients,” said James Huffman, administrator and CEO of Baptist Union County. “We are proud to be able to provide the Union County area women with advanced screening technology to identify cancers early on when they are most treatable.”

Baptist Union County is a 153-bed hospital that offers a variety of health care services, including labor and delivery, outpatient and laser surgery and a 24-hour emergency room. In 2008, the hospital renovated its Women’s Center, which features 10 labor/delivery/recovery suites, two surgical suites for Caesarean sections, a level II nursery for sick babies and a 24-bed postpartum unit. Baptist Union County also offers one of Mississippi’s only open MRI machines accredited by the American College of Radiology. A recent University of Memphis study found the hospital has an annual economic impact of $47 million on the Union County area.

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call 662-538-7631 or visit unioncounty.baptistonline.org.

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