The growing radiology services at River Valley Health System took another leap forward this week as trustees approved the purchase of a new radiographic suite and ultrasound unit.

Tuesday, May 02, 2000

The growing radiology services at River Valley Health System took another leap forward this week as trustees approved the purchase of a new radiographic suite and ultrasound unit.

"The new ultrasound does absolutely everything," said Ben Roach, M.D., of the RVHS radiology department. "The ultrasound unit will provide state-of-the-art abdominal and non-invasive vascular imaging."

In addition to the ultrasound unit, which will expand the hospital’s current ultrasound technology, trustees approved the purchase of a new radiologic and fluoroscopy suite.

The new digital X-ray room will compliment existing radiology equipment, Roach explained, adding that the new suite will give RVHS medical personnel the ability to do more thorough exams while decreasing the amount of time needed.

The new radiology suite and equipment will be located adjacent to the emergency services area, which Roach said will enhance speed of test results when physicians are working with critically ill patients in that department.

Roach estimated the new ultrasound unit and digital X-ray suite will arrive at RVHS within the next six weeks.

The ultrasound will utilized immediately because no construction is required, he said; however, the new digital X-ray suite will require remodeling work to accommodate the new equipment.

In other business during this week’s trustee meeting:

RVHS CEO Terry Vanderhoof said that in conjunction with National Hospital Week in May, health screenings will be done at a local community health fair.

"We do a large variety of types of health screenings for a very nominal fee," he explained. "These have proven to be extremely popular, with 147 people here on one day last week for a Health Caravan screening."

Also in conjunction with Hospital Week, RVHS will hold an employee dinner on Wednesday, May 10, followed by a service awards banquet on Friday, May 12. Employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service will be honored.

"You don’t receive the kind of high scores we received during the Joint Commission’s recent survey without tremendous employee support," Vanderhoof said.

The CEO said plans are being completed for the 11-th annual RVHS five-mile run on Memorial Day. The run will begin at 8 a.m., leaving participants ample time to attend the Ironton parade.

Trustees attending the meeting included chairman Bob Griffith, Eileen Vass-Brown, Dr. Rodolfo Canos, Don Lambert, Glenda Marting and Jim Weber.