National Radiologic Technology Week


November 4-10 marks National Radiologic Technology Week, a time to recognize the dedicated professionals whose work in medical imaging and radiation therapy help in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

The BCH Imaging Department has activities planned to show appreciation for its staff throughout this week.

maurices of Springville Basket Raffle

The employees at maurices of Springville coordinated a basket raffle to support the BCH Foundation and our mammography services as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Baskets are on display in the BCH lobby until Friday, October 26 around noon. The drawing will take place at maurices on October 29 after 5 p.m.

In addition to the baskets on display, MRC Disposal of Springville has offered local delivery of a 10-foot dumpster (value, $350). Those blue tickets are $10 each. All other baskets are $2 for 3 tickets or $5 for 10 tickets. Purchase at the BCH front desk.

Nuclear Medicine Camera – Cutting the Ribbon!

Friends and supporters came to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital as staff, providers, board members and elected officials helped to cut the ribbon for the nuclear medicine camera. This piece of equipment was replaced with an upgraded model in March thanks to funding from the New York State Department of Health and a grant from the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation.

One-stop Healthcare at BCH

It’s Wednesday – auction day – in Springville, but Jane W.* has other plans. Starting at 10 a.m., Jane pulls up to the front entrance and uses the valet service to park her car for the day. Jane has used a cane to get around for a few years, and the convenience of the valet is one reason she doesn’t mind her regular visits to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.

After visiting the registration department to sign in for lab work and imaging tests, Jane heads down the hall to the lab for a series of blood tests recommended by her oncologist. She’ll be seeing her primary care provider later in the day, and the results will be sent to both physicians.

Jane ventures further down the hall towards the Imaging Department. Her oncologist also recommended a chest x-ray, and she will spend the next half-hour with that procedure. Though her specialist is located in the Amherst, Jane has been able to do a surprising amount of the tests, surgical preparation and follow-up at her local hospital. The long trips north have been limited to the cancer surgery itself and in-office consultations with the specialist team.

It’s lunchtime now, and Jane gives her daughter – who works at BCH – a quick call to see if she can take a break. She can, and they eat sandwiches and soup from the coffee shop at the comfortable tables in the lobby.

But Jane is barely halfway through her day at BCH. With some time to spare before her afternoon appointment for a mammogram with the hospital’s new state-of-the-art 3D mammography service, Jane makes her way over to the Jennie B. Her own mother, Gloria, has been a resident at JBR for several years following an injury that required major surgery. Both have lived in Springville all their lives, and for Gloria to remain in her home community for nursing care has been a blessing for her family.

A few minutes before her mammogram, Jane walks back across the campus back to the Imaging Department. After an uneventful mammogram, Jane grabs a cup of coffee at the coffee shop to take her through the rest of the afternoon, placing it in her walker for the ride up the elevator to primary care.

Her appointment at the Primary Care Center with Dr. Heidelberger is one of the last of the afternoon. He reviews the results of her lab work from the morning, before having a discussion about her health conditions and talking through her continuing treatment plan with her oncologist. He makes recommendations for what to do before her next visit in three months.

If ever there were an example of keeping healthcare local, Jane has made it. She has been able to use the hospital’s robust outpatient services and Primary Care Center, and also take comfort that her elderly mother is well cared for at the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home.

This is based on an experience of a patient at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. Names and some details are changed, and this story is used with permission.

BCH Upgrades Nuclear Medicine Camera Equipment

Nuclear Medicine Camera in Springville at Bertrand Chaffee HospitalBertrand Chaffee Hospital has upgraded its nuclear medicine camera equipment as of March with support from the New York State Department of Health and its Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program.

“This state-of-the-art camera has the ability to perform diagnostic and heart/cardiac studies,” said Lisa Smith, Imaging Department Manager. “This machine has a faster scan time and higher resolution than our previous camera.”

She continued, “This equipment is up and running after an intensive three-month effort, and we thank the community for its patience as we transitioned to this new system.”

“The imaging projects within our grant are a key part of our strategy to offer local health services that are vital to our rural population,” said Nils Gunnersen, CEO. “We appreciate that the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation provided funding towards this project as well.”

Studies available with this nuclear medicine camera include: scans of bone, lung, spleen, thyroid, liver, brain, and breast; scans for GI bleeding and gastric emptying; a white blood cell extremity scan; and, cardiac stress and cardiac non-stress scans.

Nuclear medicine exams will be available weekdays from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please call the BCH Heart Center for appointments at (716) 592-9644.

“Fall into Health” in Arcade

Educational, inspirational and hopeful are three words to describe the “Fall into Health” event at the Arcade VFW on October 19.

Representatives from Bertrand Chaffee Hospital joined Arcade residents and a nurse from the Livingston & Wyoming County Cancer Services program for an evening highlighting the importance of health screenings and the strength of women who have fought and who are fighting cancer.

Rural healthcare was also featured, with ideas about access and services being discussed, particularly around 3D Mammography and support for chronic conditions.

One incredible fact: when combining the number of years of experience in healthcare among the speakers, which included CFO Teresa Donohue, Imaging Manager Lisa Smith, Board and Foundation Board Member Claudia Miller, Patient and Family Services Manager Renna Thaine, RN, and others, the total was well over 100 years.

Thank you to this amazing group for sharing their stories, demonstrating their resilience, and caring about their community in such a positive and inspirational way.

Another event for the spring is in its earliest planning stages.

3D Mammography – Ready for Patients

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital had a fantastic turnout for its Ribbon Cutting event on October 6 for 3D Mammography!

Special thanks to our board members and foundation board members who were in attendance!

We welcomed Assemblyman David DiPietro, Erie County, NY Legislator John Mills, Cattaraugus County Legislator Richard Helmich, Town of Concord Supervisor and BCH Board Chair Gary Eppolito, Town of Ashford Supervisor Charles Davis, Village of Springville Mayor William Krebs, and representatives from NYS Senator Patrick Gallivan’s office. 


Radiologist Anne Ehrlich, MD educated the many guests about the advantages of digital tomosynthesis and how thrilling it was to have this and other new technologies available at BCH.

This was the first of several events we will have to mark projects funded through the New York State Department of Health and its Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program.

Thank you also to the Springville Area Chamber of Commerce, BCH and JBR staff who wore pink today, and our many friends in the community who inspire us to keep healthcare local! And also, the Cancer Services Program of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, which sent material and flyers to promote their important public health work.

And an extra special thanks to our Imaging Department. #teamchaffee

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Brings 3D Mammography to Community

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has announced that it has added 3D mammography, also called digital tomosynthesis, to services provided in its Imaging Department.

“The actual ‘3-D’ part of the mammography is a software upgrade,” said Lisa Smith, Imaging Department Manager. “There was an intensive period where the software was installed and tested and our staff received training on the new protocol.”

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital converted to a digital mammography system in 2012, with significant support from community donations and a grant from the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation.

“We are glad to have been able to have this in place in time for October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said CEO Nils Gunnersen. “It’s a natural time to remind women to make sure they are getting mammograms on a schedule recommended to them by their healthcare provider.”

Digital mammography involves a two-dimensional image that is reviewed by a radiologist for masses or signs of unusual growths. With 3D mammography, a series of images are taken to create a three-dimensional picture that has more detail and definition.

“Our investment in digital mammography was a significant one, and we made it with the knowledge that we would be able to convert to 3D imaging in the future,” said Teresa Donohue, CFO. “This continues our work to keep up with the latest technologies that we see a need in the community for.”

The funding for this project came from the New York State Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program. BCH will use the $11.3 million award for 3D mammography, an upgraded nuclear medicine camera, a permanent MRI machine and a new structure for primary care and specialist services.

3D mammography appointments are available weekdays from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and extended hours from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

 

Technology Upgrades and Access to Services Focus of $11.3 Million Award to BCH

Thank you Banner, GrantThe announcement of an $11.3 million New York State grant application by Bertrand Chaffee Hospital came on July 18. This award is the largest in Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s history.

“We’ve created a dynamic set of offerings with our inpatient and outpatient medical services,” said Teresa Donohue, CFO. “What we have aligns Bertrand Chaffee Hospital with the goal of New York State: to ensure that the healthcare system can meet the needs of current and future generations of New Yorkers.”

The hospital expects to begin investments in technology that will enhance access to advanced diagnostic capabilities before the end of the calendar year.

“The larger question is, what does this award mean for the future of healthcare in our community?” said BCH CEO Nils Gunnersen. “We took a strategic approach to design our application and outlined projects that are a direct, proactive response to community health needs.” He continued, “Improved access to healthcare leads to better health outcomes, and that’s our ultimate goal for our community. Keeping healthcare local is the essence of keeping our patients healthy.”

“BCH is a vital community resource, providing much-needed health service, and is a leading economic engine for our region,” said Gary Eppolito, president of the BCH board of directors. “With this award we can accelerate the progress we have made to improve health services for our neighbors.”
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will keep patients, employees and neighbors informed about progress at each phase through its web site. Input and feedback about our new building will be solicited from patients, employees, medical staff and the community.

This $11.3 million award was included in New York State’s announcement of $44.6 million in projects for Western New York, part of $491 million in investment statewide.

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Comments from local elected officials:

NYS Senator Patrick Gallivan: This funding will help ensure that all New Yorkers have access to high quality health care, especially individuals and families who live in rural communities. Investing in medical facilities and programs is something everyone can support in our ongoing effort to make New York a healthier place to live.

NYS Senator Catharine Young: I am thrilled that Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, which serves people in the northern region in my district, also will receive major state funding to upgrade and strengthen their services!

NYS Assemblyman David DiPietro: Keeping healthcare local is important to our rural communities. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is a great hospital with wonderful staff that cares for countless patients daily. I’ve worked hard in Albany to secure $11.3 million in grant funding so Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is able to purchase new imaging equipment, further primary and specialist services and build on information technology services. Investing in quality healthcare is important.

Cattaraugus County Legislator Richard Helmich: “This is truly tremendous in many ways. I am proud that Cattaraugus County Legislature stood up and wanted to be counted in the struggle. I’ll be glad to advocate for Bertrand Chaffee Hospital anytime.”

Town of Ashford Supervisor Charles Davis: Congratulations on your grant and if you ever need any support from the Ashford town board or myself do not hesitate to reach out.  The hospital is a vital part of our community and it’s here because of the hard work of people like you.

Village of Springville Mayor William Krebs: The Village of Springville is thrilled that Bertrand Chaffee Hospital received the Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Grant of $11.3 million.  The grant will fund the needed technology and site development to keep our community hospital competitive in regional health care. Congratulations and thanks to the leadership and staff of our Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.

Imaging Department Installs New CT Scanner

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has announced that a new, upgraded CT (computerized tomography) scanner has been installed in the Imaging Department.

The CT scanner, commonly referred to as a “cat” scan, takes a series of x-ray images from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the human body. These studies show greater clarity and detail than a single x-ray image, and can typically produce images of the abdomen/pelvis, head/brain, sinuses, chest, neck, orbital cavities (eye) and spine. CT angiography can also scan the arteries and veins throughout the body.

“This equipment has a faster scanning time, lower radiation dose and higher image resolution,” said Imaging Department Manager Lisa Smith. “A particular benefit of this scanner is its advanced cardiac screenings, which will support our Heart Center patients.”

BCH’s CT scanner is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and participates in the “Image Gently” program. This CT scanner complements the other imaging and radiology services at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, including digital mammography, bone density, nuclear medicine, x-ray, MRI and ultrasound. For more information or an appointment, call (716) 592-8169.