The Best in Digital Mammography Comes to the South Puget Sound Region

Timing was everything when it came to South Sound Radiology’s decision to transition to digital mammography. The Olympia, Washington imaging center began considering a move to digital in 2005, but it was the need to replace their two screen-film machines in 2007 that finally compelled them to make a decision.
“With any new technology, there is an initial curve where improvements are still being made. We felt that curve had passed with digital mammography, so in 2007 we made the investment,” says Larry Bennett, M.D., one of South Sound’s 15 board-certified radiologists.
With the help of its partnership with Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, South Sound Radiology replaced its analog machines with two Hologic Selenia digital mammography systems. The center became the first in Washington State’s capitol city and the South Sound region to offer digital mammography. Until then, the nearest center offering the new technology was a trip on the freeway.
“Before the switch we were getting calls from women asking when we would have digital mammography,” says Dr. Bennett. “Now we have patients saying how glad they are that they don’t have to travel long distances for a digital exam anymore.”

The Digital Difference
In addition to increasing women’s access to digital mammography, Dr. Bennett appreciates the level of care the new technology enables him to provide.
“Digital mammography allows us to obtain the best image possible so that we can provide patients with the highest quality of care in the prevention and detection of breast cancer,” he told The Olympian, the community’s local newspaper.
“The image quality is superior, the display is superior and it gives me the ability to manipulate the image. I’m getting better penetration, particularly through dense breasts, and I’m able to see more than I did with film, which I think will lower my callback rates by at least two percent,” he added.
According to Imaging Manager Tammy Brower, digital mammography drastically increased South Sound Radiology’s workflow capacity. In the months since the transition to digital, the facility has reduced its exam times by half, from 20 minutes with screen-film to just 10 minutes with digital. Because technologists no longer have to deal with the many issues involved with processing film, digital streamlined the procedure by requiring fewer staff members and cut down on waiting time for the patients, decreasing the overall turnaround time for exams.
“Digital just allows us to make better use of the facility in a shorter amount of time,” Brower says.
The enhanced workflow also expanded the center’s capacity. During the usual December rush the center normally performs about 900 exams. In December 2007, they were easily able to accommodate a 30 percent volume increase and performed nearly 1,200 exams. The center’s use of digital also seems to attract more patients even during normally slow times of the year. In the beginning of 2008 , South Sound Radiology saw a 25 percent volume increase from the prior year, despite the fact that January and February are normally expected to be a slow time for the center.
The increased capacity helped reduce their appointment backlog to virtually nothing, Dr. Bennett says. Patients seldom have to wait longer than a week to be seen for an appointment. In addition, women are appreciative of the reduced exam time.
“The patients notice a difference at the end of the exam because they don’t have to wait around for films to be processed,” Brower said. “They’re very appreciative we can get them in and out so quickly.”

Hologic All The Way
When it came time to choosing a digital vendor, South Sound Radiology looked at several factors. In addition to the quality of the equipment, Dr. Bennett says they also looked at the company’s reputation.
“I put a lot of emphasis on service,” he says. “And we’ve had a high degree of service with Hologic.”
From a technologist’s point of view, Brower says Hologic’s equipment is straightforward and user-friendly. In addition, the company’s constant support – a combination of on-site and remote help – made for a very easy transition. This may explain why South Sound Radiology uses not only the Selenia systems for mammography, but also Hologic’s R2 computer-aided detection (CAD), MultiCare Platinum breast biopsy table, and Discovery bone densitometry system. Though the simultaneous technology upgrades made for “an interesting fall,” Brower says, offering state-of-the-art technology for a variety of breast health services is what sets their center apart.
“We’re pretty much a Hologic site,” Brower says. “We love the equipment.”
In addition to screening and diagnostic mammography, South Sound Radiology offers ultrasound, breast MRI and breast biopsy. In fact, it is the only facility within several counties that performs large core biopsies.
“Women like coming here because they know they can get all services in one place,” says Brower.
The transition to digital mammography benefited South Sound Radiology in many ways. For radiologists like Dr. Bennett, it increases diagnostic confidence by obtaining the best image possible. For technologists, it has enhanced the facility’s workflow and expanded its capacity to easily accommodate more patients. For women, shorter waiting times and quicker exams can significantly decrease the anxiety associated with getting a mammogram. But overall, Brower says, the investment was worth it simply because “offering this technology was the right thing to do for our patients.”