2007: A Busy Year for Our
Medical Community
New Technology, Commitment to Excellence
There has been a multitude of
additions in medical technology
at South Central Regional Medical
Center and area clinics during the
past year. The medical community’s
commitment to excellence includes
providing the most up-to-date technology
today so that patients can
receive excellent care close to home.
CareMobile Provides Handheld Devices at the Bedside
During the past year, South Central clinicians have prepared for the implementation of the CareMobile medication administration and care program. This technology allows caregivers to automatically document medication administration and care details at the bedside with handheld devices. When fully implemented, caregivers at South Central will have immediate access to up-to-theminute data. Most importantly, patients receive a higher level of care. The program is expected to be fully implemented by February of this year.PharmNet Supports Patient Safety
The medication administration process is one of the most important areas identified in delivering safe patient care. Using the PharmNet technology, pharmacy personnel at South Central have automated their processes, ensuring that patients get the right medication at the right time for the best clinical outcome. Numerous check points are in place to maximize patient safety. This new technology will be in place at South Central by the middle of February.Stereotactic Breast Biopsies Performed at Laurel Surgery Clinic
Mammograms can reveal abnormal tissue in the breast. However, mammograms alone may not be enough to tell whether abnormal breast tissue is cancer. Women with abnormal mammograms can now have a sterotactic breast biopsy at Laurel Surgery Clinic. This technique uses computers and X-rays to locate the suspicious tissue. With stereotactic biopsy, a small incision is made so that a small tissue sample can be removed. It’s a great alternative for women who want to avoid sedation and a larger incision.Pill Cam Technology Takes More Than 55,000 Pictures of the Digestive Tract
Pill Cam is a diagnostic tool used by gastroenterologists at Jefferson Medical Associates to take pictures of the intestinal tract. The patient swallows the capsule and at the end of the day approximately 55,000 images are downloaded from a beeper-like device. The PillCam can identify areas of the small intestine that have a type of blood vessel malformation called arterial vascular malformation, a leading cause of serious intestinal bleeding.Autoverification Technology Provides Quick Turnaround Times for Lab Tests
The Laboratory at South Central upgraded technology in the chemistry area during the past year. The new autoverification technology provides quicker turn around times for lab tests. The technology constantly monitors the specimen and alerts laboratory technologists when an abnormal result is indicated. This technology will be added throughout the Laboratory in areas where it is available. This new addition is some of the most advanced technology available today in the laboratory services field.
4D ultrasound
technology at
OB-GYN Group of
Laurel
4D Ultrasound Provides “Live Action” View of Baby
The OB-GYN Group of Laurel began offering 4D ultrasound technology in September of last year. 4D ultrasound features advanced signal processing, which produces higher quality ultrasound images. Through this revolutionary technology, the baby’s three-dimensional images are continuously updated, providing a “live action” view of the baby while in the womb. Ultrasound is a safe, noninvasive exam that poses no risks and does not typically require any exam preparation. Parents receive a CD with all of the images filmed during the procedure.Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Provides Advanced Radiation Treatment
Renovations were made to OncoLogics, Inc., during the past year to provide cancer patients with more advanced radiation services and treatment planning. The new intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technology delivers radiation to tumors with greater accuracy than conventional radiation treatment, sparing more of the surrounding healthy tissue and potentially resulting in fewer side effects for patients. The therapy is precisely planned with computer-generated, threedimensional images from computed tomography (CT) scans. IMRT is some of the most advanced technology available today for radiation therapy treatment.M2 Magnum Hip System Provides More Range of Motion
Musculoskeletal conditions are the number one reason that patients visit doctors. Orthopaedic surgeons in Laurel are some of the first surgeons in South Mississippi to perform total hip replacement surgery utilizing the M2 Magnum hip system, which provides the potential for approximately 40 degrees more range of motion over traditional replacements. The benefits are twofold. First, M2 Magnum allows for the greatest possible hip arc of motion. Second, it can make the hip much more stable. This latest generation of hip replacement technology will become the standard of care for hip joint replacement.MERCI Catheter Surgery Offered for Stroke Patients
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability in America. A new device, the MERCI catheter, is now available at South Central that can safely remove the blood clots from the arteries of the neck and brain. Laurel endovascular surgeon Vinay Kumar, M.D., surgically introduces the MERCI catheter device through the femoral artery in the groin of the stroke patient and advances it up to the arteries in the neck or brain. A cork-screw-type of wire captures and removes the blood clots.
Cameron Pimperl,
M.D., radiation
oncologist with
OncoLogics, Inc.
A stroke treatment protocol has been established at South Central Regional Medical Center to expedite the process. The team of health care professionals involved in the process includes neurologists, an endovascular surgeon, and radiologists. Dr. Kumar began performing the MERCI catheter procedure at South Central in March of last year.
