Radiology During an Emergency

The Importance of Radiology During an Emergency

The Importance of Radiology During an Emergency

Emergency radiology is an important subspecialty of medicine that has helped save countless lives in our emergency centers.

The main responsibility of an emergency radiologist is to provide a quality diagnosis of ill or injured patients using CT Scans, X-Rays, and Ultrasound machines.

Happy National Rad Tech Week 2020 to all of our wonderful radiologic tech professionals who are instrumental in helping ER physicians get to the correct diagnosis during an emergency.

Time Factor in Radiology During an Emergency

In the ER, time can be both our greatest ally and our worst enemy. The first hour after trauma or the beginning of symptoms is considered the golden hour.

When our doctors can accurately diagnose a patient’s condition in that first hour, patient survival rates go up, and the risk of long-term or permanent damage decreases.

However, for doctors to accurately diagnose a patient’s injury, they rely on the expertise of our emergency radiologists who are always on site, ready to perform the necessary tests.

chest x-ray

Technology Used in Emergency Radiology

As we mentioned earlier, having the capability to immediately and correctly evaluate and diagnose a patient, helps doctors formulate the best treatment course, which will alleviate the patient’s pain, and save lives.

The key is to have access to the results as quickly as possible. And this is where technology comes in to play.

All Altus Emergency Centers have access to the most advanced imagining technology, that provides accurate results in minutes, not hours.

CT Scan

CT Scan or CAT Scan provides clear and detailed images of the soft tissue, bones, and blood vessels in the body.

The images produced by our CT Scans allow our emergency radiologists and physicians to diagnose and treat internal injuries and diseases.

CT Scans are recommended in the following cases:

  • To Diagnose Infectious Diseases
  • To Identify Muscle Disorders
  • To Visualize and Evaluate Bone Fractures
  • To Pinpoint the Location of Tumors
  • To Study the Blood Vessels and Other Internal Structures
  • To Assess the Extent of Internal Injuries and Internal Bleeding
  • To Diagnose Heart Disease
woman receiving a CT Scan

Know Where to Go in Case of an Emergency.

X-Rays

X-rays have been used for years to diagnose internal organs and bones.

At Altus Emergency Centers, we utilize digital x-rays which offer additional benefits compared to conventional x-rays.

Benefits include lower radiation exposure, and better processing and storing of images.

In the ER, X-rays are mainly used to diagnose or evaluate the following conditions:

  • Infections Including Pneumonia
  • Broken Bones
  • Digestive Problems, including Damage to the Stomach or Intestines
  • Diagnose Kidney, Bladder, and Gallstones
  • Blocked Blood Vessels
  • Enlarged Heart
  • Locate Foreign Objects in the Body
doctor reviewing an x-ray

Ultrasound

Ultrasound tests use high-frequency sound waves to capture images of the inside of a patient’s body.

The sound frequency used in ultrasounds is inaudible, and it is continuously adjusted during the procedure depending on how deep the tissue or organ being evaluated is.

High-frequency ultrasounds are ideal for superficial imaging, while low frequencies can penetrate deeper.

Doctors may request an ultrasound for a patient when:

  • Abdominal Trauma
  • Acute Abdomen, Liver, Gall Bladder and Urinary Pain
  • Infection
  • Are Pregnant
woman receiving an ultrasound

All our radiology tests are safe, non-invasive, and painless. The best part is results are available within minutes, which allows our doctors to formulate a personalized treatment course for each patient.

In addition to having the most advanced radiology equipment, Altus Emergency Centers employs the best emergency radiologists who have the experience and knowledge necessary to save lives.

Altus Rad Tech Gallery

At Altus, we are blessed to have some of the most brilliant rad techs within our ranks. We have four locations within our Altus Family: Altus Baytown ER, Altus Emergency Lake Jackson, Altus Lumberton Hospital and Altus Emergency Waxahachie. All four facilities are open 24/7 with on-site imaging technology and ER rad tech professionals. Let’s get to some them!

Enjoy a slide show of our rad techs at work and play. If you should recognize one, don’t be shy about thanking them for the great service they provide to our communities.

2 of Altus' radiology techs
Altus Emergency Room Baytown

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