Picture of two females who work in the Mammography Department. One of them is taking a selfie and the other one is in her scrubs standing in front of 3-D Mammography Equipment at Russell County Hospital Women's Health Center

Mammography

Mammography Services

3-D Mammography
The Board of Directors recently approved the purchase of 3-D Mammography equipment for Russell County Hospital, we are excited to announce we have added 3-D Mammography to the list of services provided in the new RCH Women's Health Center. Women 40 years old and older should begin annual mammograms to help detect breast cancer.

The difference between 3-D Mammography, also called breast tomosynthesis and regular 2-D is that 3-D is technology that takes multiple images or X-rays of breast tissue to recreate a 3 dimensional image of the breast, while 2-D is a single image. Images from both technologies are read on a computer.

These multiple images of breast tissue slices give doctors a clearer image of breast masses, making it easier to detect breast cancer; it provides greater peace of mind by reducing call backs.

Any woman who needs breast screening should consider 3-D mammography. Women with dense tissue in particular which accounts for about 40% of women may benefit because it provides a clearer picture.

If you have questions, need additional information or want to schedule your next exam, please contact us at (270) 866-4141 ext. 516





Because 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer, The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for women...

A baseline mammogram should be done around the age of 35, and a screening exam every other year to age 40, then every year after that.

These guidelines are for women with problem-free breasts. Depending on your symptoms or other considerations (family history of breast cancer, etc.) your physician might suggest a different schedule of mammograms.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy. Stereotactic biopsy of the breast is a special type of needle biopsy that does not require surgery to provide a diagnosis. The radiologist determines which patients are suitable for stereotactic biopsies.

Radiology General Information & Frequently Asked Questions:

1. The Radiology/Imaging Department is open 24/7 hours a day. Three hundred sixty-five days a year. Certain exams do need scheduling. Please feel free to call with questions concerning which exams need scheduling or any other questions . (270) 866-4141 ext. 516 or 517

2. There will be a separate bill for the Radiologist's reading fee of your exam. Questions about the Radiologist Reading fees are not associate with the hospital billing department. The number for questions regarding charges is: 1-800-282-9221 or 1-866-757-4524.

3. What are Pre-Certs?
Pre-certs are pre-certifications or pre-approval from your insurance company to perform the test. Certain tests require pre-certs. (CT Scans, Ultrasound Echoes, Nuclear Medicine Stress Tests) The ordering Physician's office obtains the Pre-Cert, not the Radiology Department.

4. Radiology reports are sent from the Medical Records Department to your Physician's office. If you have any questions regarding your report: the Medical Record Department hours are: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central Time. (270) 866-4141 ext. 591 or 513

5. We will supply patients with a CD of their exam for physicians that are out of town. Local physicians have computer access to their patients' examinations (see Amicas PACS information below). RCH Imaging Use Amicas PACS (available to all local Physicians and some out of town Physicians) Amicas PACS downloads a reader App in order for a study to be viewed as if you were viewing it on actual work station. Some computers will not allow the reader to download. If CD will not load please call the RCH Radiology Department at (270) 866-4141 ext. 516 or 517

6. A doctor's orders must accompany all exams.

7. Most reports will be in the Physician's office within 48 hours (Certain exams take longer... please feel free to ask the technologist)

8. Exams involving IV (intravenous) contrast may require additional lab work... this may increase your total exam time.

9. CT Abdomen and Pelvis exams usually require oral contras. After the first bottle is finished thirty minutes later a second bottle will be given to drink. Approximately thirty minutes after the second bottle is finished the CT scan will be given.

10. Periodically some delays may be encountered while you are waiting on your exam. Surgery patients, Emergency room patients, lab results, delay of pre-certs, or delay of the referring physicians order all factor into total exam time.

The Russell County Radiology / Imaging Department will make every effort to provide an efficient and caring experience for you.