Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH)
has completed a $12 million expansion
and renovation of its imaging and radiology department. The new
8,000-square-foot imaging center, located on the ground floor of
AVH, offers state-of-the-art imaging technologies and diagnostic
capabilities.
NATRONA
HEIGHTS, Pa., Sept. 4,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Allegheny Health Network's
(AHN) Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH) has completed a $12 million expansion and renovation of its
imaging and radiology department. The new 8,000-square-foot imaging
center, located on the ground floor of AVH, offers state-of-the-art
imaging technologies and diagnostic capabilities.
"Early detection and treatment of breast
cancer are essential for helping our patients live their best and
healthiest lives, and we are thrilled to offer these enhanced
imaging services to the community that Allegheny Valley serves,"
said Bethany Casagranda, DO, chair
of the AHN Imaging Institute.
The new center now houses advanced ultrasound, 3D mammography,
CT scanning, MRI, general radiography, and dual x-ray
absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning.
A new mobile imaging pad outside the hospital also now supports
rotating MRI and PET CT capabilities, substantially enhancing
patient access to these critical services in the community. The
mobile MRI truck operates three days a week, adding 40 MRI
appointment slots weekly, while the PET CT truck is available every
Wednesday and on the first, third, and fifth Thursdays of each
month.
AHN and Highmark Health's investment in the new imaging center
reflects a growing demand for imaging services in the Allegheny
Valley region.
"These upgrades to our imaging capabilities at AVH ensure that
patients have access to the most accurate and comprehensive
diagnostic services available close to home," said Mark Rubino, MD, president of Allegheny Valley
Hospital. "The new mobile imaging capabilities, in particular,
allow us to provide more timely and convenient care to our
patients, reducing wait times and improving overall patient
experiences and outcomes. It's another great example of AHN
bringing our Living Health model to life in this community."
The PET CT service is especially crucial for cancer patients,
enabling more precise staging and treatment planning.
This expansion also aligns with updated national guidelines
recommending that women begin breast cancer screenings at age 40,
instead of 50. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
now mandates that mammography facilities inform patients about
breast density to better assess their risk profile for breast
cancer.
"Early detection and treatment of breast cancer are essential
for helping our patients live their best and healthiest lives, and
we are thrilled to offer these enhanced imaging services to the
community that Allegheny Valley serves," said Bethany Casagranda, DO, chair of the AHN Imaging
Institute. "Our cancer patients can now receive their PET scans
right here at AVH, eliminating the need to travel to other
facilities. This not only provides convenience but also ensures
continuity of care."
The department's physical space has been significantly upgraded
to enhance patient comfort and convenience, including newly
renovated check-in and check-out areas, expanded waiting rooms for
gowned patients, and ADA-compliant dressing rooms.
"We've refreshed and modernized our facilities to create a more
welcoming and accessible environment for our patients," Rubino
said. "These improvements reflect our commitment to delivering the
highest quality of care in a comfortable and patient-friendly
setting."
The newly renovated radiology department at AVH is the latest in
a series of substantial investments by AHN and Highmark Health in
the network's Imaging Institute facilities across the greater
western Pennsylvania region in
recent years. The Network opened its new imaging center at the AHN
Bethel Park Health + Wellness Pavilion late last year and will soon
cut the ribbon to new imaging facilities at both Jefferson Hospital
and Allegheny General Hospital.
Patients can self-schedule an appointment by visiting
http://www.ahn.org or calling 412-DOCTORS. Established AHN patients
may also schedule an appointment via MyChart.
Media Contact
Sarafina James, Allegheny Health
Network, 412-609-2902, sarafina.brooks@highmarkhealth.org,
https://www.ahn.org/
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SOURCE Allegheny Health Network