PIC Announces New Center on the Kenai Peninsula
As you may know, Alaska Open Imaging (AOI) has served the Kenai Peninsula community for more than seven years as an imaging provider, earning a reputation as an imaging service leader with a focus on high‐quality care and stellar customer service. You may also be aware that AOI recently decided to sell its imaging centers to Providence Health & Services Alaska. As part of this purchase agreement, Providence partner Providence Imaging Center (PIC) now owns and manages the Soldotna location, beginning September 2011.
PIC is excited for the opportunity to continue AOI’s excellent reputation in the Kenai Peninsula. We are pleased to announce that current AOI employees continue to serve this community with their local knowledge and expertise. Please use the same phone number (260‐6501) for general questions or scheduling needs. The fax number 260‐6502 remains the same as well. If you need a supply of referral forms, please let us know; otherwise, feel free to use the existing AOI forms that you have.
We look forward to working in your community in this new role. Thank you in advance for your understanding as we navigate this exciting process. One immediate change is the addition of CT (“Cat Scan”) services, which is a new imaging technology for the clinic. If you have any questions related to this announcement, please contact us at (907) 260‐6501, or toll‐free free at (888) 458‐3151.
Do You Have Our Latest Order Form?
Latest Order Form Highlights Current Offerings in Our Anchorage and Eagle River Imaging Centers *
Are you unsure which imaging exams are offered at Providence Imaging Center in Anchorage and Eagle River? Make sure you have a copy of the latest order form. To determine which form you have, look at the bottom right of the first page. It should have “Rev 3/11” printed in red ink. The 3/11 requisition looks largely the same, sporting the happy “x-ray couple” on the upper left side, in a convenient NCR format that allows you to tear off a duplicate copy for patients. Prep instructions for many common exams are on the back, along with handy maps to our main Anchorage location, as well as our Eagle River Center. You can always download the latest copy in Adobe PDF at provimaging.com/forms
Feel free to call us at 212-3151 to get some originals delivered to your office!
* Kenai Peninsula providers: new forms are now available; feel free to use existing Alaska Open Imaging referrals in the meantime.
Attention All MRI Referrers-- New Requirement for All Contrast Exams at Providence Imaging Center
Providence Imaging Center recently adopted a new set of safety guidelines that affects MRI patients scheduled for a contrast exam. Please help us in this effort by familiarizing yourself with the following guidelines, effective June 19, 2011. This will help ensure patient safety, and avoid possible delays when scheduling these exams. Our MRI staff will need to review a recent BUN/Creatinine test which includes a GFR assessment from within the last six weeks. This applies to all patients referred to PIC who will be receiving Gadolinium contrast, and who meet the following criteria:
• Renal disease (including solitary kidney, renal transplant, renal tumor)
• Age >60
• History of Hypertension
• History of Diabetes
• History of severe hepatic disease/liver transplant/pending liver transplant. For patients in this category, it is recommended that the patient’s GFR assessment be as close as possible to the MR examination for which the Gadolinium is to be administered.
• In addition, any patient who has a history of GFR that is under 40 (within the last 60 days) must have a GFR within 24 hours of the contrasted exam.
Q & A
Q: Where can my patient get this lab test, and what do I need to order?
A: Patients can get this test at any lab facility that has BUN and Creatinine testing. Providence Outpatient labs are located near the main entrance to Providence Hospital, and in the Health Park at 3841 Piper St. in Suite 211.
Q: How much does the test cost?
A: The self pay estimate is about $56.00; this does not include typical insurance discounts.
Q: Can my patient get this test right before their contrast enhanced MRI scan at Providence Imaging Center?
A: PIC recommends that patients get a BUN/Creatinine test 1-2 working days prior to their MRI exam in order to avoid any unanticipated delays in lab testing. If requested the same day as the MRI, we recommend the test be ordered “stat” two hours prior to the appointment time.
Q: Why does my patient need this test?
A: Our radiologists agree with the American College of Radiology that this test is necessary to ensure a patient’s kidneys are able to adequately filter out Gadolinium contrast. A GFR assessment indicates how well the kidneys are functioning.
PIC Only Alaska Center to Be Accredited in Breast MRI
Providence Imaging Center is the only facility in Alaska independently accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Providence Imaging Center in Anchorage has been awarded a three‐year term of accreditation in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that may not be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound. The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer‐review evaluation by board‐certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.
The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
Providers: Know Your Epic Communication Preference – It’s How You Receive All Your Providence Results, Including Radiology
The New Epic Electronic Health Record utilized by Providence routes your results and medical records only one of three possible ways.
1. FAX
The traditional way to receive results is via fax. Please verify that we have your correct fax number, and that it is turned on 24/7, as results are sent automatically after they are signed. Note: All results will go to one fax number, even if you work out of multiple practice locations.
2. MAIL
Just like it sounds: Verify that we have your correct practice name and mailing address. Results will come to your office via “snail mail”.
3. IN BASKET
(for Epic account users only)
As a credentialed Providence provider, you may have an Epic Hyperspace account. If you select this option, all results will be routed to your account in an area similar to an email inbox. You may then interact with the patient’s actual chart, or print off results manually to file in your office chart. Be aware that only you as the provider can access your InBasket, so you will need to make arrangements to distribute these results if you are out of the office.
Q & A
Q: Which way am I currently getting results?
A: A Providence Epic specialist can verify your setting. Just having the correct fax number in the system is not enough. We are happy to find out your setting, and communicate any updates to the Epic team.
Q: I am not credentialed at Providence. Is there a way to get results securely online, by looking them up?
A: You may choose to fill out an application for access via EpicCare Link, a secure software portal that allows access to Providence Records you need. Learn more at: http://www.providence.org/alaska/medstaff/epicupdate.htm
Q: I already have ProvPort access; can’t I just view records there?
A: ProvPort only holds historical records through Feb. 25, 2011. To view records after this date requires a new EpicCare Link account. Once activated, you can use the same key-fob and login to access this portal.
Q: Can I receive some results in my InBasket, and others on my office fax?
A: No. When you make a selection, ALL Providence results and notes will arrive via that single method.
Q: You have incorrect information for my office in Epic. How do I get it changed?
A: One way is to contact the Medical Staff office at (907) 212-3185. PIC is also happy to help; call Nathan at (907) 212-6032.
New PET-CT Upgrade Means Lowered Dose for Patients
PIC is pleased to announce the recent purchase and installation of an upgrade to its PET-CT scanner in Anchorage, conveniently located on the Providence Hospital campus. The upgrade enables us to use less dose for each patient and obtain more sensitive diagnostic images. The upgrade and staff training were completed in August 2011.
Scanning PET patients requires the injection of a radioactive isotope called FDG. It is created in Seattle specifically for PIC patients, based on the patients height and weight, and appointment time. According to Kate Hiemstra, PET‐CT technologist, “[FDG] has a very short half life, degrading quickly. It takes quite a coordinated effort to ensure that commercial flights bring the dose in a timely manner. The radiopharmacist must then adjust the dose appropriately so the right amount is there for each patient.” PIC anticipates the upgrade will reduce appointment cancellations due to flight delays and the other dose limiting circumstances that affect scheduling. According to Laura McDonough, PIC’s executive director, “We’re excited for these changes as we continue to improve our imaging process to better help patients, while maintaining the same standard of excellence we’ve provided over the past five years.” To learn more about these improvements, or to schedule an appointment, contact our PET‐CT scheduler at (907) 212-2879.
Patients Comment on Their Experience at PIC
• I am very claustrophobic. [Chad] was very kind and compassionate and made my experience tolerable. 6/17/2011 MRI patient
• [CT] Staff were excellent at explaining every detail and even anticipating my questions and answering them before I asked. 6/10/2011 CT patient
• Greatly enjoyed the warm blankets; overall as pleasant as experience [as] one can have, very polite and helpful staff. 5/10/2011 PET patient
• Kimberly - my technician, was professional, polite, courteous, kind and compassionate - she made my mammogram experience a good & professional one, even enjoyable to a point! 6/10/2011 Mammogram patient
• I find that Saturday appointments are great! Quick, hassle free. Staff is friendly and helpful. I pre-registered when I made the appointment - also great! 5/7/2011 Mammography patient
PIC in Pictures
Events, Community Involvement and Sponsorships from the Past Year
This year we sponsored refreshing chocolate milk for participants in the Ride for Life, an annual bicycle trek from Anchorage to Seward that raises money to prevent colorectal cancer.
2011 was an exciting year to be an Aces fan! PIC has been a sponsor of the Alaska Aces since 2007. The Kelly Cup stopped by for a visit on June 27, 2011—congratulations on a great season!
We have partnered with the local Al Aska Shrine to provide needed radiology tests for their Outreach Clinic. In Anchorage, a group of Shrine volunteers assist the hospital staff and physicians of the Shriners Hospitals for Children - Portland during the hospital’s Outreach Clinic.
As a perennial sponsor of the Alaska Run for Women, PIC takes the opportunity to decorate a porta-potty for Race Day. We won third place, resulting in the Pink Plunger Award, framed by our stalwart volunteers.
At Providence Imaging Center, we “talk trash” at least once a year, like several of our volunteers did here during our annual Spring Clean Up event. In our fifth year, we targeted bike trails and green areas around the east side of campus, and UAA Student Housing.
About the Imaging Update
The Imaging Update is a semiannual newsletter for clinicians and staff seeking the latest news about Providence Imaging Center and its services. To submit corrections, story ideas or to give general feedback, contact Nathan Switzer in Communications and Marketing at (907) 212-6032, or Nathan.Switzer@providence.org
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