Interventional Radiology: New Partnership for Better Care
Recently, ECHN began a new partnership with Jefferson Radiology to provide new and expanded comprehensive diagnostic and interventional radiology services.
As part of its services, Jefferson Radiology provides experienced sub-specialists such as neuro-radiologists, pediatric radiologists and oncology radiologists to read patients’ imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans, and consult with the patients’ physicians.
“Through our partnership with Jefferson Radiology, residents across our region now have local access to the advanced radiology services and skilled specialty physicians in a community hospital setting. We are now able to provide this higher level of care right here near home.” says ECHN CEO, Deborah Weymouth.
ECHN is very excited about this new partnership but what does this exactly mean for you, our patients?
To fully understand, let’s talk about what interventional radiology services are, and how they are provided to patients. Interventional radiology is a sub-specialty of radiology that uses minimally invasive image guided procedures to help diagnose and treat diseases. These conditions that interventional radiologists can diagnose and treat once required surgeries, but now, because of interventional radiology, open surgery is not needed. Interventional radiology procedures have less risk, less pain, reduced recovery time and reduced cost for patients.
Interventional radiologists use imaging tests such as fluoroscopy, MRI, CT and ultrasound and perform procedures such as:
- Angioplasty- Repair or unblocking of blood vessels
- Stenting- Small mesh tubes that treat narrow or weak arteries
- Thrombolysis- Dissolving blood clots
- Embolization- Block blood flow to cancer cells
- Radiofrequency ablation- Used to reduce nerve pain
- Biopsies- Study of tissues
Additional information about Interventional Radiology
Jefferson Radiology
Johns Hopkins Medicine
American Medical Association
