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Contact: Stephanie Irving
Skyline Hospital
509.637.2602
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 2009
Skyline Hospital’s New Ultrasound Keeps Patients Close to Home
WHITE SALMON, WA: Changes at Skyline run deeper than the walls of the new wing (which will open in mid-September). This month, Skyline introduces the gorge to the newest technology in ultrasound—General Electric’s LOGIQ 9. This means when it comes to looking inside your body, Skyline not only sees more, Skyline does more. And that saves you time, money, and paperwork. It means that if you go in for a routine mammogram and you need a more in-depth analysis, you can have an ultrasound the same day. It means Skyline can keep you close to home.
“Skyline is moving toward having a fully functioning diagnostic imaging department,” explains Dr. Foster, medical director of radiology at Skyline Hospital. With the new ultrasound, comes technologist Lynn Sutton. “Lynn is fantastic with producing quality images and interacting with her patients. The fact that Skyline has a registered general and vascular sonographer is something that most small hospitals don’t have.”
Lynn Sutton, RDMS, RVT, crossed the river from Providence to Skyline Hospital so that you don’t have to. She wanted “the opportunity—and challenge—to build a [diagnostic ultrasound] department from the ground up, and the privilege to work with incredible radiologists, especially Dr. Foster, who encourages me to be the best. He makes me want to learn” every aspect of the state-of-the-art machine.
The quality of images from the new ultrasound is stunning. Skyline’s system on the cutting edge of technology delivers clearer images and more streamline doctor appointments. Ms. Sutton, who brings years of experience to Skyline’s team, is most excited about the ability to perform carotid evaluations. The carotid is a vessel that goes to the brain. Early detection of plaque or stenosis (a narrowing of the vessel) can prevent a stroke.
“Before this, when we encountered vascular, abdominal, or thyroid issues we had to send our patients to Hood River for further evaluation,” explains Joann Lembrick, Skyline’s director of radiology. With time and money in scarce supply these days, the last thing anyone wants to do is to turn one visit into three (at different locations). “That is no longer the case,” smiles Lembrick, “we are now able to offer full-service diagnostic imaging capabilities. You can come to Skyline for x-rays, MRIs, ultrasound, mammography, and CT and bone density testing.”
The staff embraces the opportunities which this recently purchased machine will bring to the hospital. It “opens up all kinds of possibilities,” says Dr. Scannell, Skyline’s surgeon. “Gallbladder studies, venous studies for blood clots, and breast biopsies…all right here in one easy stop.” Dr. Foster agrees. “It is fantastic to work at Skyline, to help the community doctors with diagnosis and treatment of patients.”
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