YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The addition of a second interventional radiology suite at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital will deliver improved imaging technology, precision and time-saving interventions for patients.
As part of a $5.5 million project, four new pre- and post-procedure areas were added, bringing the total to seven. And the additional suite includes a new interventional radiology machine. Another new machine will be added to the older suite later this year.
The new intervention radiology machine cost $2 million and was a significant investment for Mercy Health, Jennifer Lohri, director of imaging, said during an unveiling Friday.
Trent Frederick, lead radiologic technologist, demonstrated the new machine, showing its capability of scanning a patient’s brain to find and treat an aneurysm with improved clarity and lower amounts of radiation.
Frederick also said the new technology is an improvement over the hospital’s 15-year-old current IR machine that requires the patient to hold their breath for 20 seconds while a scan is performed to get a clear image. Too often, movement means a second scan. The new machine allows the 3-D scan to be completed in approximately four seconds.
“Going from 20 to four is an extremely big difference when you’re in a lot of pain,” Frederick said.
Debbie Andrzejczyk, radiology manager, pointed to the machine’s multicapabilities, allowing several scans to be conducted while the patient remains in the same room.
The equipment, which is minimally invasive, can be used for advanced diagnosis of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic bleeds, traumatic injuries and cancer. It can be used for advanced fluoroscopic techniques, CT scans, ultrasounds and X-rays.
Dr. Yogesh Gujrati, an intervention neurology specialist, said the new equipment will improve precision capabilities as he treats patients with strokes and complex aneurysms, giving him a focused view on blood vessels. The software will improve the plans for determining which stent to use.
He said the machine is easier to use, guides the technicians to get the best images and has the ability to superimpose images. The images taken by the machine are synched into the main system, so if a doctor needs to look at something again, they can easily be pulled back up.
Kathleen Harley, president of Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown’s campus, said the new machine is one of the standards the hospital must meet to rise from a level three Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Program to a level four Comprehensive Stroke Program. The fourth level is the highest level given by the Joint Commission, an accreditation organization.
While there are additional steps, the equipment is a necessary part of the process.
Lohri said the new machine will allow more patients in the Mahoning Valley to remain close to home for more procedures, where they can have the support of their families.
“Our main goal with doing this and all of the other equipment and renovation that we’ve done in the radiology department and facilities is to keep people close to home,” Lohri said. “We want to keep them in their community. We want to keep them here and have their family with them.”
Having two suites will expand capacity, allowing two patients to receive care at the same time.
Dr. Praveen Venkatachalam said it will allow the hospital to expedite care and perform uninterrupted procedures for more patients.
“It’s been a long time coming. The doctors have had to struggle working in the same room and having to prioritize patients,” Andrzejczyk said. “It’ll be really nice for the community now to not have to prioritize, that we can care for two patients at the same time when they come in.”
Pictured at top: Trent Frederick, lead radiologic technologist.