Crittenden Regional Hospital's Department of Diagnostic Imaging provides diagnostic imaging on both inpatients and outpatients. The majority of the patient population served is adult, yet there are a number of pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients. Patients may be ambulatory or non-ambulatory and referred to as inpatient, outpatient or emergency patients.

Patients must be referred by a physician for any examination with the exception of self referred screening mammography services.

All diagnostic services are available twenty four (24) hours a day seven (7) days week with the exception of MRI and mammography. Diagnostic Imaging has on-call technical staff for emergency procedures in these areas. A radiologist is also available in-house or by telephone/pager at all times.

PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems)

Electronic picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) have been developed in an attempt to provide economical storage, rapid retrieval of images, access to images acquired with multiple modalities, and simultaneous access at multiple sites. The goals of PACS are to improve operational efficiency while maintaining or improving diagnostic ability.

The PACS technology was introduced at Crittenden Regional Hospital, in 2006. This new technology allows for physicians to view their patients' x-ray images through a computer based system without having to print them on film each time a procedure is performed. It expands on the possibilities of such conventional systems by providing capabilities of off-site viewing and reporting. Most physicians are extremely pleased with the outcome that PACS has brought to the area. Patients no longer have to wait for their images to be printed to take with them to their next appointment and the risk of films being lost during transportation from one facility to another is greatly reduced for those who are on the PACS.

Imaging Modalities

Diagnostic Radiology - An area of radiology that uses external radiation to produce images of the body, its organs and other internal structures for medical diagnostic purposes.

Nuclear Medicine - A specialized area of diagnostic radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to create an image of the body, its organ functions and structure, for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

Ultrasound - Ultrasound imaging (also known as ultrasound scanning or sonography) is a non-invasive method of seeing inside the body using high-frequency sound waves. The sound waves are recorded and displayed as real-time visual images. No radiation is used in ultrasound imaging.

CT Scan - Computerized Axial Tomography (also known as CT scan or CAT scan) uses X-rays to generate computerized (pictures) of all parts of the body. The technique can create pictures in 2D and 3D.

Mammography - A mammogram is an X-ray image of the breasts. Mammograms are used to detect tumors and cysts and help differentiate benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) disease.

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of a large magnet, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.