Diagnostic Imaging at Mercy Regional Medical Center; Durango, CO


				Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology The Diagnostic Imaging Department at Mercy Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing diagnostic services using advanced technologies. We strive to accommodate our patients’ exam needs and to report results in a convenient, efficient, and timely manner. We provide general diagnostic procedures including: Angiography Computed Axial Tomography (CT scan) Echocardiography (Cardiac Ultrasound) Stress echocardiogram Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) Fluoroscopy Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Mammography Nuclear Medicine Ultrasound X-ray (General Diagnostics) Skilled Staff In radiology, a physician’s ability to diagnose an injury or illness depends greatly on the quality of the diagnostic images she or he has to work with. Our skilled staff has specialized training in diagnostic imaging as well as extensive hands-on experience. In fact, on average, more than 54,000 diagnostic imaging procedures are performed at Mercy Medical Center every year and all of our staff members are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and are required to have 24 continuing education units every two years. The knowledge, skill, and experience of our staff helps ensure that they capture the best possible images. Mercy Regional Medical Center is also well known in the Four Corners region for providing quality, compassionate nursing care. One of our nurses’ goals is to help alleviate potential pain or anxiety patients may experience during certain invasive diagnostic procedures. Diagnostic Imaging Department nurses look after patients who require their care and can provide conscious sedation as necessary. These specially trained critical care nurses are all certified in advanced life saving techniques. All diagnostic images are read by board certified radiologists who work at Mercy Medical Center. Radiologists are physicians who have advanced education in the specialty of radiology and all have completed a multidisciplinary fellowship. General Radiology Technology & Equipment Most diagnostic images at Mercy Regional Medical Center are captured in digital format, eliminating the need for costly and cumbersome films. Additionally, the digital images can be accessed through our secure network for viewing in our operating rooms or in physicians’ offices, saved to a compact disc and given to the patient, or sent anywhere in the world via e-mail. Hours Full staffing is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Radiology Department is, however, open 24 hours a day, and both staff and radiologists are available on-call to accommodate emergencies 24 hours a day, every day. Scheduling Patients or physician offices may schedule diagnostic imaging procedures at Mercy Regional Medical Center by calling (970) 764-2200. Most procedures must be ordered by a physician or another authorized healthcare provider . 64-Slice Computerized Axial Tomography (CT scan) Mercy Regional Medical Center proudly offers 64-slice CT technology, the highest resolution and fastest CT scans available today. The images produced are so detailed that, in some cases, physicians are able to detect blockages of coronary arteries. This non-invasive approach to diagnosing arterial blockages is a vast improvement over invasive cardiac catheterization procedures typically used to detect such conditions. General CT scan services are provided for patients requiring emergency care and non-emergency patients with a physician’s order. Specialized exams are also available for patients who potentially have kidney stones, aneurysms, or other vascular abnormalities. The speed of the CT scanner allows us to scan infants and young children using minimal or no sedation. Contact Information Please call (970) 764-2251 to contact a CT representative. Skilled Staff Mercy Regional Medical Center CT staff is CT certified and specially trained and experienced. On average, we perform more than 8,000 exams per year. CT staff members also participate in 24 hours of continuing education every two years. CT scans at Mercy are read by board-certified radiologists who work at Mercy Regional Medical Center. Hours Procedures may be scheduled from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Staff technologists are on call for emergencies 24 hours a day, every day. Echocardiography (Cardiac Ultrasound) Echocardiograms use ultrasound technology to capture digital images of a beating heart. In addition to regular echocardiograms, Mercy Regional Medical Center is the only hospital in Southwest Colorado that offers TEEs (trans-esophageal echocardiograms) and stress echocardiograms. Echocardiograms at Mercy Medical Center are available to adults and children. Skilled Staff All staff members who perform echocardiograms at Mercy Regional Medical Center are registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers registered through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Our sonographers work closely with the board-certified cardiologists who care for cardiac patients at Mercy Regional Medical Center Hours Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. Sonographers and board-certified cardiologists are on call to care for patients at Mercy Regional Medical Center 24 hours a day, every day. Contact Information Please call (970) 764-2260 to reach a representative in the Echocardiography Department Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Routine and special MRI exams including arthrograms, abdominal, and vascular studies are available at Mercy Regional Medical Center. We provide services to patients of all ages and welcome family members to be present during exams. We also have extended weekend hours for the convenience of patients and referring physicians. Skilled Staff All staff members who perform MRIs at Mercy Regional Medical Center are MRI certified and specially trained. Technologists at Mercy participate in continuing education programs to ensure their skills and knowledge remain current with the latest technologies and techniques. The MRI program at Mercy is accredited by the American College of Radiology. Approximately 2,800 MRI procedures are performed per year at Mercy Regional Medical Center. Because the unit is a closed tube through which patients pass, some patients can feel claustrophobic. Our staff excels in patient care and can provide conscious sedation for adult or pediatric patients who feel uncomfortably anxious during a procedure. Our MRI technologists work closely with the board-certified radiologists at Mercy Regional Medical Center. Hours Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MRI technologists and board-certified radiologists are on call to care for patients at Mercy Regional Medical Center 24 hours a day, every day. Contact Information Please call (970) 764-2250 to reach a MRI representative. Mammography Mercy’s Mammography Department’s goal is to help protect both women and men from breast cancer through early detection. Every year, more than 6,000 mammograms are performed at Mercy Medical Center. We strive to provide gentle, compassionate, and friendly care to the patients we serve. Mammography exams available at Mercy Regional Medical Center include screening and diagnostic mammograms, stereotactic biopsies and needle localizations. All department staff members are registered in mammography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Mammography equipment is inspected annually and certified by the FDA. Hours Mammograms are available by appointment only Monday -Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:20 p.m.and Fridays from 8:00 a.m.until 4:00 p.m. Screening mammograms do not require a physician’s order. Please call (970) 764-2200 (#1) for more information or to schedule a mammogram. Nuclear Medicine Nuclear Medicine is a lesser known but very effective diagnostic tool that safely uses slightly radioactive pharmaceuticals to study the function of body organs and disease processes. The department also uses radiopharmaceuticals in the treatment of disease processes. Nuclear studies must be ordered by a physician. Skilled Staff All nuclear medicine staff members at Mercy Regional Medical Center are board certified. Mercy was the fifth facility in Colorado to receive a state radioactive materials license. Technology Mercy Medical Center has the only variable-angle, dual-detector system capable of whole-body imaging. Hours Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff is available 24 hours a day for emergency procedures. Ultrasound and Vascular Lab We strive to provide the highest quality ultrasound exams in the Four Corners region. A variety of diagnostic ultrasounds are available at Mercy Regional Medical Center including, obstetrical, gynecological, abdominal, breast, biopsy, and more. We provide care to male and female patients of all ages who are referred by a healthcare provider. Mercy’s is the only ultrasound department in the Four Corners that utilizes live telemedicine for high-risk obstetrical patients. Skilled Staff All staff members who perform ultrasound at Mercy Regional Medical Center are credentialed professionals. It is the only Ultrasound department in the Four Corners region that is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology. On average, more than 7,000 ultrasounds are performed at Mercy Regional Medical Center per year. Hours Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Ultrasound sonographers and board-certified radiologists are on call to care for patients at Mercy Regional Medical Center 24 hours a day, every day. Contact Information Please call (970) 764-2230 to reach a representative in the Ultrasound Department

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