plusRADIATION SAFETY Image Gently, Image Wisely pledge

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY New nuke med camera

ACCREDITATIONS MRI, PET/CT, nuclear medicine

PERSPECTIVEFall 2013

CT Lung Screening for Cancer Based on new evidence, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) — the government panel that evaluates the latest scientific evidence on preventive services — recently came out in support of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in current and former heavy smokers. The USPSTF draft recommendation is based on evidence from several studies, most notably the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) involving more than 50,000 individuals.

In the wake of the draft recommendation, Northern Arizona Radiology becomes one of the first centers in the region to offer CT lung screening for cancer. Northern Arizona Radiologist Stephen V. Ward, M.D., said the trials and the USPSTF recommendation for CT lung screening in asymptomatic, high-risk current and former smokers is the kind of evidence that insurance providers and physicians have been waiting for.

“The evidence now supports screening in those at the highest risk of lung cancer, which are current and former smokers ages 55 to 74,” said Ward. “The NLST study results are significant and change is coming, although it may take several years for insurance coverage to catch up.”

The trial demonstrated that CT lung screening was far superior to traditional chest X-Ray and provided a 20 percent decrease in lung cancer deaths among high-risk individuals.

Specifically, the new USPSTF guidelines recommend annual CT lung screening for lung cancer for people age 55 to 74 years with a 30-pack-year or greater smoking history who currently smoke or who have quit smoking for 15 years or less. The recommendation earned a Grade B in the USPSTF’s draft statement, meaning the organization believes there is “high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.”

“In lung cancer, as with so many other cancers, early detection is critical in lowering death rates,” continued Ward.

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) has also come out strongly in support of the United USPSTF draft recommendation, supporting annual low dose CT scans, continuing the screening up to at least age 80, expert evaluation, and linking cancer screening with access to smoking cessation programs.

For more information and pricing on CT lung scans, call Northern Arizona Radiology at 928-773-2515.

CT Lung Screening

Traditional Chest X-Ray

77 W. Forest Ave. • Suite 101 • Flagstaff, AZ 86001 • Tel: (928) 773-2515

Fax: (928) 773-2521 • www.northernarizonaradiology.com

AccreditationsNorthern Arizona Radiology is pleased to announce we have received accreditation renewals for our MRI, PET/CT and nuclear medicine camera equipment from the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The MRI accreditation applies to the Siemens MAGNETOM® Espree 1.5T MRI for head, spine, body, musculoskeletal and magnetic resonance angiography imaging studies. The certification is awarded by the Committee on MRI Accreditation of the Commission on Quality and Safety.

NAR’s PET/CT accreditation is designated for the Siemens Biograph™ 16 for oncology studies. Certification is conferred by the Committee on Nuclear Medicine Accreditation of the Commission on Quality and Safety.

Our nuclear medicine accreditation is for the Siemens E.CAM dual-detector

variable angle gamma camera for molecular imaging. The authorization is presented by the Committee on Nuclear Medicine Accreditation of the Commission on Quality and Safety.

The ACR’s Commission on Quality and Safety creates measures and guidelines in quality and safety standards for the practice of radiology. The commission also regulates the accreditation programs of the ACR. Organized on the five pillars of advocacy, clinical research, economics, education, and quality & safety, the ACR is dedicated to advancing the science of radiology, quality of patient care, and providing continued education for radiology and aligned health professions.

New Nuclear Medicine Camera

Northern Arizona Radiology now offers a full range of molecular imaging tests in a convenient, outpatient setting. Northern Arizona Radiology is the first facility in the Flagstaff area to use a state-of-the-art molecular camera to capture high quality medical images. The Siemens E.CAM dual-detector variable angle gamma camera scans as close to the patient as possible to produce images of exceptional detail and clarity. Patients can be imaged on an outpatient basis and do not have to be admitted to the hospital.

“Molecular imaging continues to be a very important diagnostic tool for physicians by providing outstanding results in detecting cancers, heart disease and neurological conditions,” said Edward P. Herman, M.D., a radiologist at Northern Arizona Radiology. “We are very excited to offer referring physicians and patients access to this advanced technology.”

The camera can be positioned to generate 180-, 90-, or 76-degree images with outstanding quality. The flexibility of the design to capture any area of the body means patients experience maximum comfort during their outpatient procedure. The E.CAM also features a motorized bed that lowers to a height of 19 inches, allowing easy and safe access for patients up to 400 pounds.

Northern Arizona Radiology offers state-of-the-art medical imaging in a comfortable location with same-day scheduling available for most exams. All exams are interpreted locally by experienced, board-certified radiologists who work closely with referring providers, ensuring the highest quality care at a fraction of the cost of hospital-based exams.

POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY

Living the Pledge: Image Gently and Image Wisely Northern Arizona Radiology is the only imaging center in the region to have taken the Image Wisely™ and Image Gently™ pledges. This means that NAR staff is committed to raising awareness of opportunities to eliminate unnecessary imaging exams and to lower radiation doses for necessary procedures.

Launched in 2007, the Image Gently campaign is an initiative of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging that encourages the safe imaging of pediatric patients. The campaign’s goal is to change practice by increasing awareness of radiation protection in the imaging of children. More than 20,000 medical professionals have taken the Image Gently pledge. Built on the success of the Image Gently campaign, the Image Wisely campaign focuses on increasing awareness of adult radiation protection. It was rolled

out at the 2010 Radiological Society of North America’s Annual Meeting, and since then more than 18,000 health care practitioners around the country have signed on. Image Wisely is a collaborative effort of the Joint Task Force on Adult Radiation Protection (made up of members of the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

NAR remains committed to being the safest patient imaging center in Northern Arizona and leading the charge regionally to educate health care professionals about safe standards for imaging radiation exposure. For more information, health care professionals and patients can visit the websites www.imagewisely.org and www.pedrad.org.