Paris, TN — Henry County Medical Center wants you to rest assured that it meets standards for radiation and image quality. That is why they are proud to announce that the HCMC Diagnostic Center has again received the American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation in mammography.

The Diagnostic Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as a result of a recent review by the ACR. Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report that can be used for continuous practice improvement.

“HCMC is dedicated to providing the highest quality imaging services to our community and this ACR Mammography accreditation is just another way for us to show our commitment of excellence” said Joe Gwaltney, Director of Imaging. “Additionally, HCMC Diagnostic Center is pleased to announce that we are now offering 3D Mammography for screening and diagnostic mammograms for those who meet criteria”

Digital breast tomosynthesis (tomo), also known as 3D mammography, is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic breast imaging tool to improve the early detection of breast cancer. During the 3D part of the exam, an x-ray arm sweeps over the breast, taking multiple images in seconds. Images are displayed as a series of thin slices that can be viewed by our radiologists as individual images or in a dynamic interactive animation.

Traditional digital mammography takes two-dimensional pictures of the breast and is still one of the most advanced tools available for detecting breast abnormalities. Since there could be a significant amount of overlapping tissue in 2D images, this results in difficulty differentiating a real lesion from normal overlapping tissue. Rather than viewing the breast tissue in 2D images, our radiologists can examine the tissue one thin layer at a time, in a sense traveling through the structure of the breast like flipping pages of a book. Fine details are more visible and are less likely to be hidden by overlapping tissue. Not all patients need 3D Mammography, so they must meet certain criteria in order to have this test.

The ACR, founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. The College serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

The Henry County Diagnostic Center is a 10,000 square foot facility which integrates state-of-the-art technology with convenience, comfort and communication to ensure that patients have the best experience possible. This technically advanced Imaging facility is a place where our exceptional Radiologists read images from the most advanced digital imaging equipment available. This means that images are viewed electronically rather than on traditional film.

Digital imaging provides clearer, more detailed images. Patients are now able to have their outpatient exams done in a timely manner with easy access thanks to a patient drop off and close parking.

Services offered at the facility include:

CT Scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Diagnostic X-Ray
EKGs
Laboratory
Pre-admission Testing
Specialized Women’s Imaging
Mammography
Diagnostic Mammography
Screening Mammography
3D Tomosynthesis
Breast Ultrasound
CAD: Computer-aided
Bone Densitometry Detection

The Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology, The Joint Commission, and certified by the FDA. The Center is recognized as a Diagnostic Center of Excellence. All Radiologists are board certified by the American College of Radiology.

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit in. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org