January 18, 2010 — Cibola General Hospital is proud to offer expanded general ultrasound services, which are now offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Kenneth Cochran, CEO states, “Having 24/7 ultrasound coverage enhances the physician’s ability to treat our patients.” Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, uses sound waves to produce images of organs, vessels, and tissues in the body. The procedure has many applications, including evaluating blood flow within the heart, detecting breast cysts or gallstones, assessing the health of unborn babies, and examining the prostate, uterus, liver, kidneys, pancreas, colon, and urinary bladder.

“The expanded hours will help expedite patient care and reduce the length of time a person waits in the ER. General ultrasound is a very important diagnostic tool needed in many emergency situations,” Teri Smith, Director of Radiology explains. Some conditions that may require immediate (within 15 to 20 minutes) ultrasound services include an expanding or leaking abdominal aneurysm, a suspected ectopic pregnancy, and internal bleeding.

Cibola General Hospital’s ultrasound suite consists of a private examination room that boasts state-of-the-art ultrasound units. The hospital sonographers are highly competent and skilled in performing ultrasound examinations. The ultrasound suite is also accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

In non-emergency situations, Cibola General Hospital currently offers general ultrasound services Monday through Friday by appointment. The hospital also offers vascular ultrasound and echocardiography on specific days of the week. For more information about ultrasound or other imaging services, please call the Radiology department at (505) 287-5250.