Innovations and Opportunities in HealthCare Jay Mazurowski Radiology Director Concord Hospital The Future is Now! Real Rewards One of the most fulfilling rewards of a healthcare career is the personal satisfaction that comes with being part of a professional team and helping others. A career in healthcare also offers competitive pay, signing bonuses, and other financial incentives to attract new employees and retain current staff. Every day healthcare professionals can make a difference in someone’s life Career Choices Physician Physician’s Asst. Nursing Physical Therapy Medical Technology Biomedical Technician Surgery Technician Radiologic Technology Radiation Therapist Respiratory Therapy Career Choices in Radiology X-Ray Technologist CT Technologist Sonographer Nuclear Medicine Technologist MRI Technologist Mammographer Special Procedures Technologist Radiation Therapist Radiology Nurse Radiology Manager Systems (PACS) Administer Radiography A radiograph (x-ray) is the end result of an exacting technical procedure. Each phase of this procedure must be carried out with care to obtain the greatest possible information concerning the anatomic details of the structures for the purpose of demonstrating the absence of, or the presence of, traumatic or pathologic changes. Radiography Technologists must possess a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and osteology in order to obtain radiographs that demonstrate the desired body part. Technologists must have an understanding of all body systems and the functions of each. Mammography Mammography is perhaps the single most important innovation in breast cancer control. The importance of mammography is directly related to its value in the early detection and management of breast cancer. Mammography detects approximately 2-3 times as many early breast cancers as physical exams. CT Scanning A CT scan is the process of creating cross-sectional images of any part of the body. During the exam, a thin x-ray beam scans multiple points about the periphery of the body part. A computer then reconstructs the data creating two-dimensional x-ray images or "slices.” CT Scanning CT examinations compliment other imaging exams such as x-ray films by offering physicians an additional tool in which to view anatomy. In some cases, CT provides diagnostic information that cannot be achieved with any other method. M.R.I. MRI is one of the most significant advances in medical imaging this century. It allows physicians to see inside the human body with remarkable detail. MRI does not use X-rays to create images. Instead, it combines magnetic fields with radio waves and uses specially designed computers to produce detailed images of internal body structures. M.R.I. While X-rays may be best for showing bones, doctors use MRI to examine "soft" tissue such as muscle, nerves, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, vertebral discs and various internal organs. Ultrasound Diagnostic Ultrasound - sometimes called medical sonography, is a non-radiation imaging technique used to help see inside the body. With this procedure, a sound wave is transmitted into the body which causes an “echo.” The echo, which can be thought of as a signal, is then transformed into a diagnostic image. Ultrasound is an especially helpful imaging tool in the areas of: OB/GYN, abdominal studies, and vascular & heart disease. Nuclear Medicine During Nuclear Medicine exams, a tiny amount of radioactive material, called radionuclides are introduced into the body either orally or through a vein. The radionuclides produce a signal which is then detected by specialized imaging equipment. All traces of the radionuclide disappears from the body in anywhere from just a few hours to a few days. Nuclear Medicine Generally speaking, while x-rays, MRI, CT scans and ultrasound exams show the structure of various body systems, Nuclear Medicine shows how the body systems function. P.E.T. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is an imaging technique that examines the biological origins of disease so that illness may be diagnosed and treated at an earlier stage and more effectively. PET allows physicians to visualize the patient's whole body with just one scan. This scan is able to identify areas with increased activity. Whole body PET imaging identifies abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected and guides physicians to the most appropriate treatment for the disease to which it is applied. P.E.T. The patient receives an intravenous injection of a simple sugar glucose which has a minute amount of a radioactive tracer. Once the radioactive compound is distributed through the body and processed by the organ being studied, the PET scanner detects the radioactivity and shows it as an image on a video screen. Angiography Angiography is a general term that describes the radiologic examination of vascular structures within the body - after the introduction of a contrast medium. Angiography Blood vessels are not normally seen in conventional radiography (x-rays) because no natural contrast exists between them and other adjacent soft tissues in the body. It is therefore, necessary to fill vessels with a radiopaque contrast medium (x-ray dye), so they can be seen under x-ray. Cardiac Cath Cardiac Catheterization is a broad term used to describe a minor surgical procedure that involves the introduction of a catheter into the heart and surrounding vessels for the purpose of diagnostic evaluation of a variety of cardiovascular disorders. Like Angiography the introduction of a contrast medium (x-ray dye) is necessary in order that vessels may be seen under x-ray. PACS Image modalities CT Archive Remote Facilities MRI Remote M.O.B.’s Database and Workflow Engine Internet VPN Hospital Workstations with Voice Recognition Remote Workstations for Primary Diagnosis Choices and Freedoms Most healthcare professions require a higher level of education while some merely require on the job training. Healthcare allows you the freedom to choose where you work and live Healthcare professionals work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, physician practices, nursing homes, research centers and schools. Want to learn more? Contact your local hospital Talk with your local college The Future is Now! Thank You!