News & Events > MaineGeneral's new outpatient diagnostic center opens at FirstPark
July 23, 2008
Designed with patients in mind, MaineGeneral's new outpatient diagnostic center at FirstPark in Oakland brings the latest in state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology to patients and features a private area dedicated to women's mammography.
BY DIANE PETERSON
Special to Women's Quarterly
Designed with patients in mind, MaineGeneral's new outpatient diagnostic center at FirstPark in Oakland brings the latest in state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology to patients and features a private area dedicated to women's mammography and bone density screening.
The 20,000-square-foot-facility, which replaces diagnostic services previously located on Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville, also houses two orthopedic physician practices with an adjacent area for physical and occupational therapy and sports medicine services.
"We wanted a facility that was easily accessible to I-95, would allow us to improve technology and patient flow and develop a dedicated and private women's health diagnostic area," said Chuck Hays, president and chief executive officer at MaineGeneral Medical Center.
"With the new space we upgraded to fully digital equipment on diagnostics, incorporated laboratory services and melded physical and occupational therapy with the orthopedic practices next to them," he added.
A spacious waiting area greets patients and provides private booths for confidential registration. Just off the waiting area, two phlebotomists draw blood that is taken by courier to MaineGeneral's Thayer Campus for testing. A separate space for children and electrocardiogram (EKG) testing also is included.
Creating a warm, private and friendly atmosphere for women to get their mammograms and bone density screenings was key, said Crystal Dow, MaineGeneral director of Imaging Services. Women-only changing and waiting areas are next to two state-of-the-art digital mammography and assessment suites. Women who are having other X-rays also are welcome to use the women-only waiting area.
Digital technology is the latest available and means shorter exam times, less exposure to radiation and fewer retakes because, unlike film X-rays, high-quality images are available instantly, Dow said.
And, there's no waiting for film to be developed or transported, she added. "Our Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) technology allows us to transmit all digital X-ray exams electronically to radiologists for reading just over five miles away at the medical center's Thayer Campus."
Lead mammography technician Anne Lavoie notes that digital mammograms take only about 15 minutes from start to finish.
"Digital mammography detects even the smallest abnormalities in the breast and provides better images particularly in younger patients and those with dense breast tissue. We can visualize right to the skin line." Lavoie said.
She added that technologists use "soft touch pads" on the mammography machines' hard surfaces to make the procedure more comfortable.
FirstPark is the fifth MaineGeneral facility to offer digital mammography services. This advanced imaging service also is available at the Augusta, Thayer and Gardiner campuses and at the Winthrop Commerce Center.
A separate entrance and area house MaineGeneral Health Associates Orthopedics. John Thaller, M.D., a wrist specialist, sees patients there two days a week and Rose Ramirez, M.D., a general orthopedic surgeon who recently joined the practice, sees patients there full-time.
Two private practices merged to form Maine Bone and Joint Specialists with orthopedic surgeons Vaughn Collett, M.D., Marc Golden, D.O., and Catherine Meikle, M.D. The two orthopedic practices share waiting area space and have direct access to MaineGeneral's digital X-ray technology and rehabilitation services.
"A lot of patients who have orthopedic care also need occupational and/or physical therapy," explained Mary Melville, director of Rehabilitation Services. "Some patients are scheduled for therapy the same day as their physician office visit, so they can get everything done at one place and in one visit."
Melville also noted that offering onsite rehabilitation services allows the physicians to see firsthand how patients are doing on the treadmill or exercising. Therapists also can make onsite custom splints the physicians may require.
To learn more about these services and others, please visit www.mainegeneral.org.
Diane Peterson is senior editor at MaineGeneral Health.
