Imaging Services at Covenant Health Claiborne

Computed tomography (CT) scans combine the power of X-rays and computers, allowing doctors to see a patient’s internal body structures. 

In a CT scan, a narrow beam of X-rays is rotated around a patient’s body. The beam produces signals that are processed by the machine’s computer to create cross-sectional images, or “slices.” The slices can be digitally combined to form a 3D image that helps identify basic body structures like bones, soft tissues, organs and muscles, as well as possible tumors or abnormalities. CT scan technology greatly helps doctors with diagnosis and treatment plans and is often used to support surgical treatment. 

In early 2024 Covenant Health Claiborne acquired a new CT scanner with features that benefit both clinicians and patients:

Clinical Features

• The new CT scanner is a 128-slice machine, doubling the speed of the hospital’s previous 64-slice scanner. This additional speed results in more imaging capabilities and better accuracy.
• New CT software allows Covenant Health Claiborne to perform brain perfusion studies, which help diagnose acute stroke.
• The speed of the scanner allows for more accurate tracking of a CT bolus, A bolus is a type of contrast that is used for some types of scans to improve visibility of blood vessels. This improves the accuracy of computed tomography angiograms (CTAs), which are used to diagnose pulmonary (lung) embolisms, artery blockages and other conditions in the blood vessels.
• The machine can perform live fluoroscopic scanning (CCT), which allows radiologists to perform biopsies and drainages faster and more efficiently.
• The new device reduces downtimes and the need to reschedule patients.

Patient Comfort Features

• The CT scanner and updated software make the imaging process more efficient for patients.
• The new CT reduces both scan times and radiation doses. For example, the low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening uses lower amounts of radiation than standard chest CT imaging while still providing quality images of the lungs.
• The scanning process is quieter, improving comfort and reducing stress for anxious patients.

Imaging with digital X-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of  radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. 

Radiation protection and minimization of patient exposure is always our number one goal in ensuring patient safety at Covenant Health Claiborne. 

All our technologists have gone through extensive training and are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 

X-ray services provided at Covenant Health Claiborne include:

• Chest and abdomen
• Orthopedic
• DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) for bone density testing
• Full-spine, including scoliosis
• Various fluoroscopy procedures, as well as modified barium swallow testing

How to prepare for your X-ray examination at Covenant Health Claiborne:

• Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to register.
• Inform technologist or RN if there is a possibility you are pregnant.
• If lab work is needed, it will be completed prior to the exam.
• Bring a complete written list of medications you are currently taking.
• For upper GI series (UGI), patients should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight.
• For our small bowel series, patients should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight. The exam may take up to 4 hours or longer to complete.
• For our lower GI series (Barium Enema- BE), one day prior to the text patients will need to complete a bowel prep kit, which may be purchased at any local pharmacy. Patients should not eat or drink anything after midnight. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids following this procedure.

Your doctor may provide further exam preparation at the time your test is scheduled.

At Covenant Health Claiborne, we use digital mammography technology to obtain clearer images for early detection of breast cancer. 

The user-friendly design of our equipment means greater comfort during breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Screening mammograms are performed with computer-assisted digital analysis. This technology cuts scan time in half, allowing patients to be seen quickly. 

Covenant Health Claiborne has a GE Senographe digital mammography machine. The Claiborne Breast Center is in Suite 101 of our medical office building, located adjacent to the hospital on Tazewell Road.

With our MRI scanner, Covenant Health Claiborne offers various types of body imaging. 

Because magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can give such clear pictures, it is very helpful for medical diagnosis. For instance, an MRI often is used to diagnose sports injuries. Thanks to its precision, doctors can also detect tears in tissue, tumors, swelling, and problems with joints and bones.

MRI pictures are amazingly clear and detailed. The technology, which is based on radiofrequency waves and a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays, helps identify cancer, vascular disease, stroke, joint and musculoskeletal problems and other disorders.

In fall 2024 Covenant Health Claiborne acquired new MRI equipment with features that benefit both clinicians and patients:

Clinical Features

• The new MRI is the first machine of its kind in the Tri-State area and can complete MRI scans up to 50 percent faster than other comparable imaging technology.
• The deep-learning technology also provides higher-resolution images so physicians can have a better understanding of the problem at hand.

Patient Comfort Features

• The new MRI offers reduced noise levels, improving comfort and reducing stress for anxious patients.
•  It has a lower table height for easier access and can accommodate a wide range of body types.
• Patients also spend less time in the machine for faster appointments.

Some medical implants, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, are contraindicated for MRI. If you have other implants, please have your implant card available.

Covenant Health Claiborne’s diagnostic imaging services also include nuclear medicine for heart, cancer, and fracture scans.  

This tool is used to spot abnormalities early in a disease’s progression. It also provides a way to gather information that otherwise would be unavailable or require surgery or more expensive diagnostic tests.

Nuclear medicine specialists use safe, painless techniques to get body images used by physicians to treat disease. Patients are injected with small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals). Special cameras can pick up the images and send pictures to computers.

Our nuclear medicine services at Covenant Health Claiborne are used to:

• Analyze kidney function
• Provide images of blood flow and heart functioning
• Scan lungs for respiratory and blood flow problems
• Identify gallbladder blockage
• Evaluate bones for fractures, infection, arthritis, or tumors
• Determine the presence or spread of cancer
• Identify bleeding in the bowel
• Locate infections
• Measure thyroid for overactive or underactive functioning
• Look for ischemic heart muscle tissue problems using myocardial perfusion scans

Ultrasound units provide the latest in scanning capabilities. With this technology, doctors can see images of internal organs as they function and also can assess blood flow.

Doctors at Covenant Health Claiborne use ultrasound for heart patients and to obtain images of the abdomen and blood vessels. They rely on these tests to detect decreases in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, as well as irregular heartbeats.

Benefits of ultrasound include more comprehensive and reliable exam data, faster tests and improved patient comfort.

In addition to our full range of diagnostic and imaging services at Covenant Health Claiborne, we also offer our patients and practitioners the ease and expertise of our Picture Archival & Communication System (PACS) for protected transmission and storage of medical imaging.

This technology allows images to be electronically captured, stored and transmitted – all without film.

PACS makes high-quality MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound pictures immediately available by computer. That means doctors can readily view any images the patient has had taken at Covenant Health Claiborne and other locations in the Covenant Health system. Patients no longer need to carry X-rays from place to place.

In addition, PACS gives such clear images that doctors believe it results in a better, more accurate diagnosis.