Pictured is Westfield Memorial Hospital’s new Hologic Comfort Clarity HD high-resolution 3D mammography system used for breast cancer screening.
WESTFIELD — A small town hospital in the village of Westfield is making a major commitment to providing quality care to residents of New York State’s western edge.
Friday morning, Westfield Memorial Hospital unveiled a newly renovated and upgraded radiology department. The space has been completely renovated to incorporate state-of-the-art imaging technology. Representatives from various levels of the Allegheny Healthcare Network were in attendance to witness the unveiling of the hospital’s newest wing.
Dr. Chris Clark, president of Westfield Memorial Hospital, called the initiative from Allegheny Health Network a “significant investment to improve access to facilities, imaging equipment, and imaging services.” Equipment and upgrades to establish the radiology department cost a total of $3.4 million.
“We are really excited about this investment,” Clark said.
Westfield Memorial Hospital Administrator Rodney Buchanan said of the hospital’s commitment to patients in Western New York, “This is proof that we’re here and proof that we care about them. ”.
Pictured is Westfield Memorial Hospital’s new Siemens Symbia EVO Excel Gamma Camera, which helps radiologists assess organ function and potentially detect cancer.
Joining Mr. Clark and Mr. Buchanan for the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Dr. Russell Elwell. Kathryn Bronstein, Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board Chair; Helen Baran, Chair of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Board of Directors; and Regional Administrator Russell Sneed.
The new radiology department is now fully capable of handling basic radiotherapy procedures, including paracentesis and implantation of ports for chemotherapy and chronic IV infusions.
“Whereas before you had to go somewhere else to get that line in, now you can get that line in Westfield,” Buchanan said.
Enhanced imaging equipment can also help identify emergency diagnoses such as lung collapse and cardiac stress.
“I find that with the upgraded equipment, it’s a lot easier,” Buchanan said.
Pictured is Westfield Memorial Hospital’s new C-Arm machine. This is a portable imaging device that hospitals can move from room to room to provide increased flexibility and high-quality images at the ideal dose for each patient. The machine was funded by the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Among the new equipment installed at Westfield Memorial Hospital is a radiography and fluoroscopic imaging system that provides high-quality, dynamic, real-time x-ray and fluoroscopic images. Additional impact X-ray system. Excel gamma camera for injecting radioactive material into patients to assess organ function and detect cancer. Bone densitometry helps diagnose osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Another piece of equipment, called the C-Arm machine, was specifically funded by the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation. The C-Arm machine is a portable imaging device that hospitals can move from room to room, increasing flexibility and delivering high-quality images at the ideal dose for each patient.
“With older equipment, the pictures aren’t as sharp, but with newer equipment, everything is digital. This makes it much easier to see and makes it easier to diagnose different conditions. You can identify things faster. ,” Buchanan said.
The department also has a high-resolution 3D mammography system, including the SmartCurve breast stabilization system, designed to minimize patient discomfort without sacrificing breast image quality, workflow, or dose. Masu.
“We know how important cancer screening is. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis,” Clark said. “Especially for female patients who need to undergo breast cancer screening, we have the latest mammography equipment here, her 3D technology, so they can undergo the screening procedure here without having to go to other areas. Masu.”
Pictured left to right: Russell Elwell, MD; Kathryn Bronstein, Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board Chair; Rodney Buchanan, Westfield Memorial Hospital administrator. Chris Clark, president of Westfield Memorial Hospital; Helen Baran, Chair of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Board of Directors; and Regional Administrator Russell Snead.Pajama photo by Braden Carmen
Westfield Memorial Hospital has been a staple of the Village of Westfield for more than 75 years. Plans to establish a radiology suite began in 2022 with funding provided through AHN’s parent company, Highmark Health.
Allegheny Health Network is comprised of 14 hospitals primarily located throughout Pennsylvania, with Westfield being the only location in New York state. As part of a network of hospitals, Westfield Memorial Hospital can easily transfer patients to other hospitals using images over the same network.
“This makes it easier for providers and technicians to treat based on the images they get here, without having to repeat a lot of things,” Buchanan said. “Interconnectivity is also very important. Not only is this part of the network, but we also have the benefit of having advanced image processing capabilities here at Westfield.”
Clark said the investment is “right in line” with Highmark Health’s commitment to bringing care to patients closer to home.
“This imaging project and improvements to imaging services are a great example of that,” Clark said. “Patients don’t have to go far to get even the basics.”
Mr. Buchanan continued, “Our goal is to help people get the right diagnosis and the right care as quickly and conveniently as possible. This new imaging center will support the many people who trust us. It helps us meet patient standards.”
