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The Privacy Notice requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
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April Newsletter
Washington County Memorial Hospital would like to tell everyone about some recent service improvements at the hospital. We recently acquired a new CT Scanner, which is a dramatic upgrade in capability. The new CT allows for faster scanning, clearer images, and a wider range of use for this helical CT than for the earlier generation of non-helical CT.
Some examples of expanded capabilities are:
¨
Craniofacial disorders can be displayed in 3D.¨
Combination scans can now be done in a single 2-minute exam.¨
Assessment of lung function.¨
Detection of pulmonary embolisms.¨
Helical CT can replace other procedures, which formerly involved injections of dye (contrast media).¨
The patient receives up to 40% less radiation with this new helical CT.
Washington County Memorial Hospital has also recently upgraded the respiratory therapy department with state-of-the-art equipment in-house to perform sleep studies. All of this is located in a newly renovated home-style room.
Sleep disorders are a major problem in our population now, with up to an estimated 70 million people in the U.S. having some kind of sleep problem such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, or sleep-walking. Generally much of society now works more and sleeps less than in previous years. For instance, in 2001 the average American adult gets 6 hours, 54 minutes of sleep on weeknights, compared to 8 ½ hours in 1900 (before electricity)! Sleep disorders can lead to many serious complications and other medical conditions. We are very proud to have what I believe is the premier sleep center in our region. The exams are performed at the hospital and the studies are interpreted by Dr. Thomas Spence, a pulmonologist who practices at Missouri Baptist and also comes to Washington County Memorial Hospital to see patients weekly.