Diagnostic Services

With the explosion of new technology in the healthcare field, Heartland Regional Medical Center has become a leader in providing physicians the diagnostic tools they need to pinpoint and diagnose sickness and injuries. Heartland Regional Medical Center's skilled technologists and physician specialists are able to conduct a complete variety of diagnostic testing/services using state-of-the art equipment to provide your physician with accurate and timely information so that a thorough diagnosis can be made of your health condition.

Some of the Diagnostic Services provided by Heartland Regional Medical Center include:

State-of-the-Art 64 Slice CT Scanner

Heartland Regional Medical Center is offering patients and physicians in southern Illinois access to the latest diagnositc imaging technology. Our 64 Slice CT (computed tomography) scanner produces crisp, detailed images of the body in just seconds. Our CT demonstrates how technology innovations are improving both the speed and accuracy of imaging results – enabling physicians to detect and treat diseases at an early stage. This technology can be used for advanced diagnostic applications such as Cardiac Scoring, Virtual Endoscopy, high-resolution lung scanning and precise radiotherapy planning for cancer patients.

While our CT can be used to produce detailed images of the entire body, we are very excited about what this new technology means for our heart patients. Our CT is a state-of-the-art scanner that allows our River to River Heart Group to plainly see the coronary arteries. As opposed to the traditional cardiac cath, our CT is a non-invasive procedure. It is a faster, safer way of determining a patient’s cardiovascular health.

Trauma patients also beneift from the speed and accuracy of the 64 Slice CT Scanner. We can scan a trauma patient from head to toe in a matter of seconds, providing ER physicians with immediate images for quick diagnoses. We can determine if the patient has any internal injuries that require immediate attention.

Our CT system offers an excellent combination of clinical excellence and patient safety – with the biggest benefit being increased capabilities for early detection. We’ve always put a premium on giving our physicians the best diagnostic tools – and the real winners continue to be our patient community.

Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging

The Diagnostic Imaging area continues to deliver the areas best diagnostic studies using state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, to the normal x-ray, mammography and bone density capabilities, we currently perform several advanced studies:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI

MRI is an advanced, state-of-the-art imaging that can produce clear images of the body without the use of X-rays. This technology allows physicians to detect and diagnose developing diseases or abnormalities earlier than ever before. A MRI makes it possible for a physician to see with unparalleled clarity the brain and the tiny nerves that make up the spinal column. MRI is often used for examining the head, neck and spinal cord.

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology uses reflected sound echoes to study and characterize internal structures and tissues. Ultrasounds are commonly used in an obstetrical exam with pregnant moms to determine the developmental age and overall health of a fetus. Another major use of ultrasound imaging is with heart patients, particularly in the diagnosis and follow-up of heart valve abnormalities. Ultrasound is often used as a follow-up to a mammogram, when suspicious lumps are found, to help determine if they are benign cysts or cancerous growths. The use of this diagnostic tool continues to grow. The technology has provided new ways to image the gallbladder, musculoskeletal system and prostrate gland.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine studies document organ function, in contrast to conventional radiology, which creates images based upon anatomy. Many of the nuclear studies measure the degree of function present in an organ. Nuclear medicine can be used to study the function of a damaged heart or restriction of blood flow to parts of the brain. They are often used for liver, kidney, thyroid gland, and in other organ studies.

Mammography

Today, one out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer sometime during her life. More than 40,000 women in the United States will die this year from the disease; more than 2,000 of them will be from Illinois.

Early detection could save many of the lives lost to breast cancer each year. Currently, only about 9 percent of breast cancers in Illinois are detected at the earliest and more curable stage. The five-year survival rate for these women is approximately 96 percent. Increasing the number of women who are diagnosed at this stage by just 6 percent would save the lives of 400 Illinois women each year.

Starting at 20 years of age, a woman should practice monthly breast self-examinations. A woman should have a clinical breast examination done by a health prefessional at least once a year. Women 40 years of age and older should have a screening mammogram every year.

Located on the first floor, just to the left of the public elevators in the main lobby, is Women's Diagnostic Services. This self-contained unit has a private waiting room, education and teaching area, private dressing rooms and complete diagnostic services for women. The unit supports a Mammography, Bone Density, and two Ultrasound rooms. Please call 618-998-7001 to schedule your mammogram.

Cardiovascular Services

Heartland Regional Medical Center offers extensive cardiovascular diagnostic and monitoring services including:

• Echocardiograms
• Electrocardiograms (EKG)
• Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
• Holter/Event Monitoring
• Digital Cardiac Angiography
• Laboratory Blood Tests
• Treadmill Stress Testing
• Nuclear Stress Testing
• Heart Catheterization
• Pheripheral Arterial Studies (PAS)
• Duplex Carotid Studies
• Arterial or Venous B-Mode Evaluation
• IPG and Venous Doppler
• Pacemaker Implantation
• Cardioversion
• Intensive Care/Coronary Care Unit (ICU)
• Cardiac Rehab Phase I, II, and III
• Pulmonary

Laboratory Services

Our laboratory is a full service testing facility offering state-of-the-art equipment and computerized information services to meet the needs of patients, medical staff, and referring physicians.

The Laboratory is staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Routine hours for outpatients are Monday through Friday, 5:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:30 am to noon.

The Laboratory and Pathology Departments are accredited by the Joint Commission and the American Association of Blood Banks, and the Laboratory holds State of Illinois Department and Public Health Licensure.

Physicians can access results directly from a terminal in the hospital, in their office, or the hospital staff can automatically fax results to the physician's office throughout the day.