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As of June 2009, asymptomatic patients can have this potentially life-saving exam right here in Alaska

Screening ultrasounds differ from diagnostic ultrasounds in that screening ultrasounds identify the presence of disease (not the extent of the disease) in the abdominal aorta, carotids and leg arteries.  An estimated 20 to 30 million Americans are at risk for various vascular diseases, including stroke, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), carotid artery disease and aortic aneurysms. And according to the AVA, vascular disease outside the heart causes almost as much death and disability as heart disease, and more than any cancer.  A "package" of three screening tests is available for patients that includes:

Abdominal Aorta Vascular Ultrasound screens for Aortic Aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm is a weakening in the wall of the aorta, which is the main artery in the chest and abdomen. This weakening can cause the artery to rupture causing possible death. Often there are no signs or symptoms of an aortic aneurysm until it ruptures. Risk factors for aortic aneurysms are: over age 60; family history of Aortic Aneurysms; smoking; high blood pressure; and more common in men than women.

Carotid Vascular Ultrasound looks at the arteries in the neck for Carotid Artery Disease. Carotid Artery Disease occurs when the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels that take blood to the brain, develop a buildup of plaque caused by hardening of the arteries. When this build up becomes severe it can cause a stroke. Risk factors for strokes are: high blood pressure; diabetes; smoking; high cholesterol, family history of stroke; and irregular heartbeat, particularly atrial fibrillation.

Leg Vascular Ultrasound looks for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). PAD is a condition in which plaque builds up along the walls of the arteries that carry blood to the arms and legs affecting blood circulation. People with PAD are three times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than those without PAD. Risk factors for PAD are: high blood pressure; diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, family history of serious vascular problems; and more common in men than women.

To schedule this screening test, call 212-3151 during our normal scheduling hours, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri.  Please send us a written order with "vascular screening ultrasound" as the reason, and we'll send the results to you.  The test is not typically covered by the patient's insurance, and would be a "self pay" charge of about $325.00.

Want to know more?  Call, click or visit today.  We offer this exam in our Anchorage Imaging Center.

Providence Imaging Center - Eagle River - is proud to announce that we will have ultrasound available as a new imaging test by the middle of July 2009.  Diagnostic ultrasound will join digital x-ray and CT exam (aka CAT scan or computed tomography) as the third diagnostic imaging test offered at 17101 Snowmobile Lane, in the new Providence Building across from Fred Meyer and SBS, where we also offer twice monthly mobile mammography  Now, residents of Chugiak-Eagle River can spend less time traveling to Anchorage or Wasilla to get the testing they need.

The full complement of ultrasound tests available in our Anchorage facility will be available here, with the exception of vascular testing.

To schedule an ultrasound at this location, please call us at (907) 212-3151, Monday - Friday, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.  Our scheduling staff will confirm whether we are officially open with this service, and pick a date and time that is convenient for you.  As always, please have your ordering clinician send the printed order to our fax number at (907) 212-5828.  To reach our front desk staff in Eagle River directly, dial (907) 726-6610.  Normal business hours in Eagle River are 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, and we are closed from noon - 1 p.m.

If you have general questions, please contact us by email, or call (907) 212-3151.

Providence Imaging Center has received the Mt. Huntington Award from Anchorage Project Access, granted to providers for their commitment and generous service to our medically uninsured neighbors.

The mission of Anchorage Project Access is to
increase access to health care for low-income uninsured
members of our community by using a volunteer network
of providers working in a coordinated fashion to create
a compassionate, respectful, equitable, accountable and
effi cient program of necessary services for those in need.

The award was presented to PIC's Advisory Group on April 21, 2009, by several members and staff of APA.  Pictured below are (left to right) Tom Wood, MD (member APA); Cathy Feaster, ANP (member APA); Laura McDonough (executive director of PIC, the recipient); Barbara Symmes (member APA); and Charlene Spadafore Vassar (Executive Director of APA)

PIC was recognized for contributing more than $250,000.00 in technical fees for diagnostic medical imaging in 2008, more than any other imaging facility in Alaska.

We are grateful to participate in this wonderful program, and appreciate the work APA does to enroll qualified patients so that they can get the care they need.

For more information about Anchorage Project Access, call 339-8746, or email info@anchorageprojectaccess.org

The American College of Radiology has certified Providence Imaging Center's two MRI scanners (the 3.0 T GE Signa HDx, as well as the 1.5 T GE Signa HDx) after a rigorous application process. 

The ACR evaluates qualifications of personnel, equipment performance, effectiveness of quality control measures, and quality of clinical images. It is believed that these are the primary factors that impact the quality of clinical images and the quality of patient care.

This lengthy and expensive process translates into an assurance for clinicians and patients that they are receiving the best MRI possible.  The accreditation is voluntary, and represents a commitment on PIC's behalf to going above and beyond when it comes to imaging excellence. 

We are proud to be the only MRI imaging facility in Alaska that is currently ACR accredited in all five specialty areas:  MRA (angiography), MSK (musculoskeletal), body, head and spine.  Four other facilities have some of these specialties, but not all five together.

For further information about PIC's ACR accreditation, please call our MRI Department at 907.212.5609.  If you would like to schedule an MRI with us, please call 907.212.3146.

Many thanks to the generous patrons and employees of CARRS/Safeway employees across Southcentral Alaska who gave to make this year's Free Breast Cancer Screening possible May 11-15, 2009.

Once again, through funds donated by CARRS/Safeway, and with a veritable army of volunteers from the Providence Cancer Center, Providence Imaging Center and around the community, this year's event was a tremendous success.  More than 180 specially qualified women received services from volunteer healthcare providers, including a clinical breast exam and screening mammography, over the five day period.  These women qualified for the services because they were either uninsured or underinsured.

Volunteers for this event helped once again with patient check in, as well as assisting the women to change into comfortable attire for the exam.  A comprehensive health history was completed for each patient, and then a volunteer healthcare provider (both MDs and ANPs) performed a clinical breast exam.  Next followed a digital screening mammogram.  Results were sent both to the patient and her provider, with recommendations for any additional imaging.

We'd like to once again thank the many volunteers who gave up their evening for one or several days in order to make this event possible.  We'll see you next spring!