Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Summer 2014 - page 6

H
N
SHANNON AIRMED1
CELEBRATING
20 YEARS
IN 1994,
Shannon AirMed began operation with the
vision of providing emergency critical care services to ru-
ral West Texans without rapid access to a trauma center.
AirMed now provides -hour emergency care for area
hospitals in counties across the region. It transports
VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMIES HAVE
been performed
since ancient times. And although many advances in
medicine and technology have occurred over the years,
today the procedure is still practiced as a safe option for
women in need of a hysterectomy.
For a while, vaginal hysterectomies faded from practice
when abdominal hysterectomy and laparoscopic surgi-
cal techniques came to light. ese procedures do have
a place in medical practice, but when necessary, vaginal
hysterectomy should be the rst option for the patient.
e American Association of Gynecologic Laparos-
copists (AAGL) has returned to promoting the original
roots of gynecology—vaginal surgeons. Gynecology is
the only specialty that works consistently in this area,
but the expertise was abandoned to promote laparoscopic
technology.
“As we have progressed through the
history of surgery, minimally invasive
techniques have moved to the forefront,”
says Greg Dunham, MD, Shannon Clinic
OB-GYN. “But we only want to be as
invasive as necessary. Removing the
uterus vaginally allows us to use the
natural opening without having to create
additional incisions and, consequently,
more pain for the patient.”
CONSIDERING THE CAUSE
e majority of vaginal
hysterectomies are performed for benign reasons, which
include small to medium broids within the uterus;
abnormal bleeding; and pain or relaxation of the uterus,
which causes the bladder, bowels or uterus itself to fall
into the vagina. Other forms of hysterectomy are more
suited for radical reasons, which include cervical or
ADVANCES IN
IMAGING AT
SHANNON
TWO OF SHANNON’S
departments have upgraded their
imaging equipment in order to bring the latest state-of-
the-art technology to patients.
WOMEN’S IMAGING
e Shannon Women’s Imaging
and MRI Center recently installed new imaging equip-
ment, including an MRI unit and a machine to perform
stereotactic breast biopsies at the center.
“ e stereotactic breast biopsy machine consolidates
services for our patients,” says Maribel Rios, director
of radiology. “Previously, patients had to visit the main
campus for the procedure. Now, we can do everything for
diagnosing breast cancer under one roof.”
e equipment allows the center to perform state-of-
the-art breast imaging studies with biopsy capabilities.
e stereotactic machine looks similar to the other mam-
mography machines at the center, but its capabilities are
di erent. Additionally, the center is looking forward to
adding -D tomosynthesis technology within the next year.
e new MRI is a -channel unit similar to the one
located at Shannon Medical Center’s downtown location.
“We are excited to continue to provide the women
of our community with the latest in advanced imaging
capabilities,” says Rios.
e center has mammography, ultrasound, bone den-
sity, MRI and biopsy capabilities. For more infor-
mation about Women’s Imaging, call
- -
.
RADIOLOGY
Shannon Clinic recently replaced its CT
scanner and now o ers a -slice Siemens Perspective
machine located in the main clinic at
E. Beauregard.
“ e Perspective is a much faster machine equipped
with the latest so ware,” says Holly Klein, director of imag-
ing services. “ e main reason we chose to upgrade is this
machine reduces the radiation dosage patients receive by
percent. erefore, the scan is not only faster, but safer.”
Having the latest so ware guarantees excellent image
quality for every patient. e Perspective utilizes IVR
(Interleaved Volume Reconstruction) for superior resolu-
tion of . mm isotropic resolution. is capability greatly
improves diagnosis of smaller lesions.
Additionally, the new machine will allow the clinic to
perform angiograms with attention to the aorta, carotids
and peripheral extremity runo s. Some same-day proce-
dures can also be performed.
For more information about the -slice CT or avail-
able procedures, call Shannon Clinic’s radiology
department at
- - , ext.
.
HYSTERECTOMIES:
THE WHYS AND HOWS
endometrial cancer or enlargement of the uterus.
“ e type of hysterectomy performed varies based on
patient needs, but at least percent of patients should
be eligible for vaginal hysterectomy,” Dr. Dunham says.
“If vaginal is not an option, laparoscopic methods should
be considered next.”
According to reports from the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, the national percentage of
vaginal hysterectomies is percent. Comparatively, at
Shannon Medical Center, percent of the candidates for
hysterectomy undergo the vaginal procedure.
During the procedure, the uterus is detached from the
ovaries, fallopian tubes, upper vagina, surrounding blood
vessels and connective tissue. e uterus is then removed
through the vagina. Depending on the size, the surgeon
may need to remove the uterus in pieces.
BETTER FOR SOME PATIENTS
e advantages of vaginal
hysterectomy compared to laparoscopic include:
No incisions.
Less pain.
Less recovery time—
most patients go home the same day or following morn-
ing.
Less expense for the patient.
“Minimizing the number of abdominal procedures
is the main goal, with patient outcome being the most
important factor,” Dr. Dunham says. “Our hospital is one
of the leading departments in successful vaginal hyster-
ectomy. If a surgery can be performed vaginally, it should
be. It’s better for the patient: less pain, quicker recovery,
far less expense.”
If you are a candidate for hysterectomy, it is very im-
portant to talk to your surgeon about the vaginal proce-
dure. For more information on the vaginal hysterectomy
procedure, please visit
or call
- -
.
trauma, cardiac, medical, pediatric and burn patients
with an experienced, well-trained crew and state-of-the-
art medical equipment.
“We are honored to be a part of and to serve the Con-
cho Valley and surrounding areas,” says Judee Garrett,
RN, CCRN, EMT, AirMed chief ight nurse.
SERVING WHERE THERE’S NEED
Transportation via
AirMed of critically ill or injured patients can signi -
cantly reduce time en route to a hospital, allowing pa-
tients to receive de nitive care within the golden hour,
the rst hour following injury, heart attack, stroke, or
other medical or surgical emergency. AirMed is the
only air ambulance service in West Texas that carries
blood in- ight.
AirMed averages to ights a month. ey are
a four-time recipient of the Texas Air Medical Service of
the Year Award from the Texas Department of State and
Health Services in
,
,
and
. e crew
extends their commitment to the region through demon-
strations and educational classes and resources for area
health care providers.
“ e AirMed crew would like to thank our commu-
nity and Shannon for their support,” Garrett says. “We are
looking forward to another successful years.”
Greg Dunham,
MD, Shannon
Clinic OB-GYN
6
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H E A L T H
B E A T
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