Backus to add bone density scans in Colchester, updates technology at other locations
Backus Hospital is updating and expanding its bone density scans, which are most often used to diagnose osteoporosis.
Julius Kocsondy, Director of the Diagnostic Imaging Department at Backus, said bone density scanners on the main hospital campus, Groton Backus Outpatient Care Center and the imaging center on Case Street in Norwichtown will all be replaced with the latest technology. The Colchester Backus Health Center will be offering the service for the first time in late April or early May.
He said with the same machine in each location, results will be uniform for easier and more reliable test results. Patients who need follow-up tests or periodic screening can have the test done at the most convenient location, confident they will be receiving the same highquality care.
Osteoporosis and low bone mass affect an estimated 43.6 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. As a result, this population is at an increased risk for fractures, particularly of the hip and the spine.
The established standard for measuring bone mineral density and diagnosing osteoporosis is Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry – commonly called a DEXA scan.
Gail Weingast, MD, of the Diagnostic Imaging Department at Backus, said the test also can be used to assess if treatment for low bone mass or osteoporosis is working.
WHAT IT IS: A DEXA scanner is a machine that produces two X-ray beams, each with different energy levels. One beam is high energy; the other, low energy. The amount of X-ray that passes through the bone is measured for each beam. Based on the difference between the two beams, the bone density can be measured. It is most often used on the lower spine and hips.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THE TEST: Women older than 65 should be tested, regardless of risk factors. The guidelines differ somewhat for younger women, but testing is recommended for all postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 65 years who have risk factors for osteoporosis other than menopause. Risk factors can include a previous history of fractures, low body weight, smoking and a family history of fractures or osteoporosis. Dr. Weingast said men with risk factors also should be tested. The test also may be used to assess treatment for low bone mass or osteoporosis, to see if bone mass is increasing.
HOW TO PREPARE: You may eat normally before the test, but don’t take calcium supplements or vitamins containing calcium for 24 hours before the exam. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid zippers, belts or buttons made of metal. Patients may be asked to remove some or all of their clothing and wear a gown, and might have to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and anything metal. Inform your physician if you recently have had a barium examination or have been injected for a CT scan or isotope scan; if so, you may have to wait 10 to 14 days before this test. Also, women should always inform their doctor if they might be pregnant.
HOW LONG IT TAKES: The outpatient test takes about 20 minutes. It is done by a technician at each site and then the results are loaded into the hospital’s electronic system, which is connected to offsite locations. A radiologist, either on site or at the hospital, analyzes the test results and passes the diagnosis onto a primary care physician, who explains the results to the patient. It takes about a week to get the results from your doctor.
The Colchester Backus Health Center will soon become the newest hospital location to offer bone density scans. It also has expanded MRI hours to Wednesday and Friday.