Diagnostic Imaging Northwest--a designated ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

Puyallup, Wash. — Diagnostic Imaging Northwest, has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

By awarding facilities the status of a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the ACR recognizes breast imaging centers that have earned accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy) .

Peer-review evaluations, conducted in each breast imaging modality by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field, have determined that this facility has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs.

"We are pleased to have received this special designation and three-year accreditation from the ACR," said Dr. Barbara Blankenship, Diagnostic Imaging Northwest Medical Director. “Our radiologists are located on site and available to read images in real time, order additional views if needed, and consult with the patient’s provider as needed. All images and reports are available to patients' healthcare providers through a state-of-the-art Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) that can be accessed by the provider in their own office by computer.”

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

In addition to the ACR Breast Center of Excellence, the Puyallup location at 222 15th Avenue SW offers  comprehensive Breast Imaging diagnostics and imaging services that include Breast MRI.  Patients may call Diagnostic Imaging scheduling for their regular screening mammogram  at any DINWs sites located in Bonney Lake, Puyallup and Sunrise directly at 253-841-4353.  For any pre-existing or advanced diagnostics, discuss your breast health with your provider.

January 2012,  Puyallup, WA -- Diagnostic Imaging Northwest is an alliance with Medical Imaging Northwest & MultiCare Good Samaritan Hopsital.  This partnership allows Diagnostic Imaging Northwest (DINW) and MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospitals to be the regional medical centers of choice for residents in and around East Pierce County. This new project allows for the convenience of specialty medical services to the medical community under one roof.

The new four-story, 83, 268 sq. ft. medical office building is located on the corner of 15th Ave. and 5th St . SE, adjacent to the new Patient Care Tower on the Puyallup campus of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

This state-of-the-art facility offers comprehensive specialties for seamless medical care in an environmentall friendly building with its LEED Silver certification design features.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental  Design. The project developers are Cogdell Spencer ERDMAN and Coldwell Banker Commercial Offenbecher.

DINW's suite  features a dedicated 1.5T high-field GE Optima Extremity MRI. The first in the Northwest. The medical building also provides the following services by MultiCare and Cardiac Study Center:

• Healthworks
• Laboratory
• Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Nephrology
• Obstretics/Gynecology
• Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
• Pain Management
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy
• Pulmonary
• Surgical Hspitalists
• Vascular Surgery
• Cardiac Services providcd by Cardiac Study Center 
• Imaging Services by Diagnostic Imaging Northwest

To schedule an appointment for the MRI Extremity, your provider may contact Diagnostic Imaging Northwest at 253-841-4353 .

Diagnostic Imaging Northwest announces
the first extremity MRI scanner in the South Sound         

TACOMA, Washington, (January 10, 2012) - Diagnostic Imaging Northwest announced today the new, extremity 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner--the only dedidicated extremity MR System in area and is now available. Patients can be scheduled to be seen in Diagnostic Imaging Northwest’s newest imaging site in the Good Samaritan Medical Building located in Puyallup by Good Samaritan Hospital. 

The GE Optima is the first specialty extremity MRI available for patients in the South Sound. Designed to be more comfortable than a full-body MRI system, the GE Optima is intended for patients needing an MRI exam of extremities such as the elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle and foot.

The Optima features a high-strength 1.5T magnet exceeding those of a standard MRI system, and warranting image quality. The comfortable design insures less moving around -- resulting images are likely to be even more clear and consistent, securing a more confident diagnosis.

Unlike the awkward and uncomfortable positions sometimes required for extremity scanning in whole-body systems, patients can relax on a padded chair beside the scanner, reclining comfortably, much like they would in a favorite chair at home. The patient who has extreme anxiety over the closed-in tube MRI and fear of claustrophobia is eliminated by this open design.

Dr. Barbara Blankenship, DINW Medical Director, said: “Our goal is to provide patients with the right MRI scanner for their needs. Comfort and quality imaging are our top priority. For some extremity exams done in a traditional full-body MRI system, the way the patient must be positioned is not always comfortable.”

Beyond comfort, the extremity MRI’s open design reduces anxiety for those who have concerns about going into a full-body MRI system.  Additionally, children may be joined by an adult in the exam room. 

“With our new GE Optima MRI, patients actually sit next to the system and only the targeted body part goes into the system.  This helps make it easier for them to be as still as possible for the best exam achievable. It may also mean that the patient gets in and out faster.” Blankenship said.

 “The Optima allows for faster patient preparation and enhances the ease for patients,” said Keith Arnzen, CEO, DINW. “We are excited to be able to provide this new capability for our community health care providers and their patients.”

More information about the GE Optima Extremity MRI can be found here.

Diagnostic Imaging Northwest (DINW) is a joint venture alliance between Medical Imaging Northwest and MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.  DINW provides diagnostic radiology services at five imaging locations throughout East Pierce County, WA, in Bonney Lake, Puyallup and Sunrise. Medical Imaging Northwest is a group of private practice radiologists working in hospitals, clinics and imaging centers.  MultiCare/Good Samaritan is part of a healthcare network that has 90-plus locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Our highly-trained radiologists are board-certified with fellowship and/or subspecialty training, are experts in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Our registered radiologic technologists have advanced certifications to ensure that your care is of optimal quality. All sites meet the American College of Radiology Certification Standards.

Contact:
Rachael Costner, Marketing & Communications Manager
Diagnostic Imaging Northwest                                                                |
Direct:  253-583-8613  FAX: 253-446-3973        
Email:  rcostner@mydinw.com 

Diagnostic Imaging Northwest, an Alliance of Medical Imaging Northwest & MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital has been named a Finalist in the 2011 Top Places to Work 2011. The event will honor Finalists & Nominees and winners announced night of the event which will be held May 10, 2011 at The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. 

Top Places to Work recognizes outstanding company cultures in the South Sound. Nominees are evaluated in five categories, Integrity, Gratification, Equity, Solidarity and Appreciation.  

Diagnostic Imaging Northwest sponsors
PIERCE COUNTY SURVIVORS' CONFERENCE 2011
Equal Parts Inspiration & Education
 
Diagnostic Imaging Northwest along with 30 other community sponsors and cancer advocates invite you to join us on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 for the Pierce County Cancer Survivors' Conference. Connect with other survivors to discuss and learn about the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the cancer journey.
 
This year's FREE conference will be held at University of Puget Sound University campus. For more details, visit:  http://pccancersurvivor.org for schedule on the day's events. Registration is now available online, or by calling: (800) 342-9919. To volunteer at this event click here for opportunities, or call:  Michael Umpstead at (253) 697-4899 or by email, MichaelUmpstead@cancer.org.

Space is limited, register now!

Contact info:
Committee Co-Chairs:
Jamie Dobosz  |  JamieDobosz@fhshealth.org
Tricia Sinek  |  TriciaSinek@fhshealth.org
(253) 426-6746

January 12, 2011

Medical Imaging Northwest / Diagnostic Imaging Northwest Corporate Offices
Move to Downtown Tacoma

TACOMA, Washington --Medical Imaging Northwest (MINW) and Diagnostic Imaging
Northwest (DINW) with corporate/administrative operations currently located in Lakewood, WA,
will be moving to a new downtown address in the Wells Fargo Building on Pacific Avenue, as of
March 1, 2011.  Keith Arnzen, CEO, Medical Imaging Northwest, says, “A great opportunity and
timing in the real estate market allowed for us to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement for
our group and Unico.  Along with improved connectivity and security, the Tacoma location also
places us closer to many of the area’s healthcare and business leaders.”

“We are pleased to have Medical Imaging Northwest/Diagnostic Imaging Northwest join the
growing core of South Sound medical professionals in Tacoma,” said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn
Strickland. “Healthcare is a growing sector, and we welcome this group that will make downtown
Tacoma their new workday home.”

The MINW/DINW operations team supports 25 fellowship-trained, board-certified radiologists who
provide sub-specialty professional services and onsite coverage in radiology departments of
MultiCare’s Good Samaritan Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and MultiCare clinics in Auburn,
Covington, Kent, Tacoma and Gig Harbor; as well as, remote diagnostic imaging interpretation for
Edmonds Family Medicine. DINW represents the three joint-ventured, outpatient imaging centers
under the name Diagnostic Imaging Northwest located in Bonney Lake, Puyallup and Sunrise. All
sites are ACR (American College of Radiology) accredited.

Dr. Andrew Levine, Chair, Executive Committee of MINW, states, “Sixty years and growing
strong, we continue to improve efficiencies with centralized scheduling, pre-registration, billing,
transcription, operations and a management team all working together to enhance the ability of
our Radiologists and technical staff to provide high quality diagnostic and interventional imaging
services to our referring health care community and their patients.”

Diagnostic Imaging Northwest’s full range of imaging services include: magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), diagnostic ultrasound, women’s imaging,
mammography and stereotactic breast biopsy, bone densitometry, musculoskeletal, geriatric,
vascular, interventional, orthopaedic, cross-sectional, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine and
emergency radiology services.


For more information visit:  http://www.minw.com or http://www.mydinw.com

Contact for this release:
Rachael Costner
Marketing & Communications Manager
Medical Imaging Northwest/Diagnostic Imaging Northwest
Direct:  253-583-8613         FAX: 253-446-3973
Email:  rcostner@minw.com

Diagnostic Imaging Northwest--proud sponsor
of the South Sound Wedding Show and Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity

At the South Sound Wedding Show held at theTacoma Regional Convention and Trade Center in Tacoma on Sept. 26-27, brides-to-be lined up to buy wedding gowns. More than $30,000 was raised by Brides Against Breast Cancer. Proceeds go to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation which grants wishes to those who have stage IV breast cancer.

# # #

• Patients travelling to Diagnostic Imaging Northwest in Puyallup are advised to allow for construction delays: utility relocation on 15th Avenue has begun and will run through September 4, 2009. At all times during construction one lane of traffic will be open with flaggers to assist vehicle flow. This work will be taking place 24 hours a day with night shift work beginning July 6th. Patients may want to set out for their appointment a little early. Patients may want to turn onto 17th Street instead of 15th to help bypass some of the construction activities.

If you would like to see live webcam updates of the construction update, check out: http://www.multicare.org/goodsam/construction-facts-timeline

Fun Facts

• So far, (6/09) there has been 140,000 cubic yards removed from the construction site, or about 20% of the volume of the Tacoma Dome.
• So far, they've poured 5110 cubic yards of cement. That’s a 6’ sidewalk almost 9 miles long.
• So far, they have placed 654 tons--more than the weight of three diesel locomotives.
• So far, they have used 1600 sheets of plywood to form the first level of the new tower, that’s enough to cover a football field.

Project Timeline

Project Features:

• 80 family-friendly private rooms

• State-of-the-art surgical suites

• New Emergency Department

• Diagnostic Imaging Services

• Medical Office Building

• Parking garage

• Green construction process

• Reduced water and energy usage

Radiologists have dreamed of a day when they would have a clear, complete virtual view of all patient information no matter where they had logged in. True interoperability transforms technology from a gate limiter to a powerful, efficient tool that enables radiologists to provide consistent care, fewer manual steps and reduced chance of mistakes. Compressus provides that view. It increases physician utilization, productivity and issues related to patient safety by ensuring access to all pertinent information.

Supporting 12 sites in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, Auburn, Covington and Northshore in South King and Pierce Counties in Washington State with 22 board certified radiologists, Medical Imaging Northwest (MINW) reads and creates nearly, 350,000 diagnostic imaging exams a year. MINW selected Compressus to complete an Enterprise-wide integration of its disparate RIS, PACS, voice recognition (VR) software and workstation viewers by early 2009. Involving the installation of a spectrum of MEDxConnect^TM System components, the implementation is designed to provide workflow and data management, workflow viewing, patient ID management and short term archiving requirements to support its service expansion goals of handling more than 550,000 diagnostic imaging exams a year.

"MINW provides diagnostic services to patients across a broad geographic area from a large number of our satellite sites and imaging center clients. The resulting system conflicts and manual data entry and workarounds impact our productivity and reduce our ability to get the right image to the right specialist, regardless of system or location," said Andrew Levine, MD, Chair of Medical Imaging Northwest, LLP. "The MEDxConnect solution emphasizes the electronic collection and distribution of DICOM and HL7 digital imaging data with the goal of providing MINW a workflow management and integrated diagnostic solution that improves productivity and helps us manage operational costs."
The MINW implementation will emphasize the electronic collection and distribution of DICOM and HL7 digital imaging data, including integrating with McKesson PACS for storage and retrieval transmission of imaging data to McKesson HRS and Kodak Carestream workstations and integration to the RIS either direct or through Cloverleaf. Another central component of the solution will be integrating to PowerScribe v. 4.8 voice recognition software for the generation of reports and addendums.
According to Dr. Levine, MINW's clients will also realize greater efficiency and productivity as a result of the implementation. "The true benefactors of this implementation will be our imaging service customers and their patients. Automated pre-fetching of prior studies from disparate archives will result in better diagnostic services and fewer repeat or unnecessary exams. Combined with full integration with our McKesson PACS and multiple PowerScribe and voice recognition and dictation systems, this implementation will enable our radiologists to dramatically cut the turnaround time on reports and read more exams. Ultimately, we expect the result will be faster, more accurate and better patient care."

The integrated imaging and data management solution from Compressus is designed to support a facility's current and expanded workload and provide an infrastructure for sustained growth. Building the functionality required for remote connectivity, the system enables users to access diagnostic images and reports in the existing data stores at each facility, increasing the level of medical care while reducing the associated costs.
Providing high quality and cost-effective teleradiology services is increasingly difficult as radiology practices battle both resource constraints and system connectivity conflicts. MINW went to Compressus with very specific goals for a comprehensive interoperability solution to support its high standards for quality patient care and aggressive business expansion goals.