Richland Hospital Introduces First Digital Mammography System to Its Medical Imaging Department Offering

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October is a significant month in the history of breast cancer. It is of course Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and October 2009 is the 10^th anniversary of digital mammography being introduced by GE Healthcare in 1999. October is also the month that Richland Hospital introduces a new GE Healthcare Senographe Essential mammography system as part of the hospital’s medical imaging department. GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) made the announcement of the system acquisition.

Senographe Essential is a premium full-field digital mammography system. Digital mammography replaces the film used in traditional mammography with digital files viewed and stored on computers. The Senographe Essential has the largest active field of view available and enables fast and efficient imaging of virtually any size breast. The ergonomic design allows fast and comfortable positioning to promote patient comfort and clinical efficiency. As a digital system, the Senographe provides outstanding image quality with dose efficiency, minimizing re-takes and promoting patient safety.

Replaced analog system

Richland Hospital has been using an analog mammography system since 2001. They upgraded to facilitate second opinions and electronic transfers to breast clinics. According to Marsha Jones, RTRM and Mammography Coordinator, there were a lot of factors in the purchase of the GE Senographe Essential. “It gives us better resolutions for dense breast tissue, preventing retakes,” said Jones. She also noted that the three full-time mammographers appreciated the ease of use and that the ergonomics made the job less taxing physically. “The Essential is more comfortable for the patients. We expect that the shorter exam time will enable us to schedule more patients, increasing throughput, and we hope ultimately, detecting breast cancers sooner.”

“New technology is a game-changer for a hospital, no matter the size or location,” said David Caumartin, General Manager, Mammography at GE Healthcare. “The addition of the Senographe Essential will help Richland Hospital on its own healthymagination journey, as it makes better healthcare more accessible to its service areas.”

Richland Hospital introduced the new mammography system to its employees and the community on October 1 with an open house celebration. Hospital administrators and GE Healthcare executives were on-hand to answer questions and to welcome the new technology to the hospital.

ABOUT RICHLAND HOSPITAL

The Richland Hospital is a 25-bed acute care Critical Access hospital serving the health care needs of people in Richland Center and the surrounding area. This hospital was first established in 1924, occupying the Bailey Mansion, which was located where a portion of the current facility now stands. Eight building projects and numerous remodeling and renovation projects have taken place since its beginning. At the present time, over 200 people are employed by the Richland Hospital.

At The Richland Hospital, we provide a comprehensive range of services for all of your health care needs. Led by highly skilled doctors and staff members, our patients can expect the highest level of compassionate care across all of our service lines. For more information, visit our website at: www.richlandhospital.com.

ABOUT GE HEALTHCARE

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.