SALISBURY, N.C.,April 6, 2018 – The gift of a second breast ultrasound imager should decrease the wait time for women who need diagnostic ultrasounds and ultrasound biopsies in Rowan County.
The ultrasound imager was purchased by the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Foundation for the Novant Health Imaging Julian Road breast center at a cost of $134,805. The center began using the ultrasound unit with two breast transducers in February.
The addition of the second ultrasound unit will allow the breast center to better meet patient demand for ultrasound services. It is expected to increase the number of ultrasound-guided breast biopsies the center can perform by more than 300 a year, and increase the number of diagnostic ultrasounds following mammograms by almost 800 a year.
Before the addition of the second ultrasound unit, some patients experienced longer-than-optimal wait times for breast ultrasounds and ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, or for an ultrasound following a diagnostic mammogram at the clinic. “We know that waiting for a diagnostic ultrasound to rule out suspicious findings can cause anxiety for many women,” said Rick Parker, executive director of the Rowan Medical Center Foundation. “The addition of a second breast ultrasound imager will not only reduce wait times for these services but enhance the overall level of breast diagnostic services available in our community.”
Imaging Julian Road is recognized in Salisbury as the premier location for breast imaging services. The facility began offering tomosynthesis — also known as 3-D mammography — in 2016, and in 2017 added a mobile van that offers 3-D mammography. The addition of these services also led to a greater need for access to breast ultrasound follow-up imaging.
The breast ultrasound unit was paid for through gifts to the Rowan Medical Center Foundation. All gifts to the foundation remain in the community and are used for the specific donor’s intended purpose.
Questions about the Rowan Medical Center Foundation or the second breast ultrasound unit can be directed to Parker at rdparker@novanthealth.org or 704-210-6884.
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