Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disease affecting balance, movement and agility, affects approximately 1 percent of the population over 60 years of age. Although recent years have brought increased awareness of this disorder, the lack of a test to detect this condition can lead to misdiagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and related syndromes. In many cases, especially early in the course … Read More
What do people think of their recent patient experiences?
For those who chose to come to a Capitol Imaging Services affiliate recently for their exam, here’s what some said about their experience: “I don’t know her name, but the woman who performed my mammogram this time, as well as last time, was perfect. She was so sweet and kind and understanding. And the doctor that came in to tell … Read More
One hospital charges $8,000 — another, $38,000
Effective January 1, 2021, a federal rule says hospitals have to list the costs of at least some of their services in accessible, consumer-friendly language. The hope has been that equipped with this information, potential patients can shop around and make a better-informed decision before setting foot in a hospital. It may not always be easy to find these costs, … Read More
How many new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed annually?
In the United States, between 50,000 and 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed. It is estimated that as many as one million people around the country suffer from the condition. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s disease. The … Read More
Why do I need to wait 2-3 hours after my injection for a nuclear medicine bone scan?
This is a common question asked of our nuclear medicine technologists. One of our technologists, Blaine, provides the answer for you. Bone Imaging is used to detect skeletal lesions as the earliest possible time, monitor the course of skeletal diseases and evaluate the metabolic activity of skeletal lesions. It can also detect osteomyelitis as well as stress fractures. The injection … Read More
Many hospital-employed physicians refer people to Capitol Imaging Services
Contrary to what some people may be told, Capitol Imaging Services accepts referral orders for imaging exams from any of the following qualified medical providers: Medical doctors (MD, DO) Nurse practitioners Physician assistants Certified nurse midwives Chiropractors Podiatrists In many cases, these medical professionals are employed by local hospitals and healthy systems. These providers understand the value DIS provides to … Read More
Ankle break or a sprain: which is it?
It is estimated that more than one million people visit the emergency room annually with ankle injuries. Of these, the majority are sprains and fractures, and in many cases, it can be hard to tell the difference. While a fracture refers to a break in one or more of the ankle bones, a sprained ankle refers to damage to the … Read More
Yes you can save money on healthcare services
Medical imaging is one area of healthcare in which people can truly save money. It’s due to one simple fact. Entities within medical imaging that are not owned by hospitals and health systems offer list prices and fees that are much, much less than behemoth hospitals. Numerous articles have been published on the subject, citing example after example of the … Read More
Ten good reasons why you should choose Capitol Imaging Services
When you visit your doctor and you get a recommendation for an imaging exam, you’ll receive a referral order, also known as a script. Often, a doctor makes a recommendation on where you should go for the scan. Please be aware that you are not mandated to go where your doctor recommends on the script. You have the right to … Read More
What is Paget’s disease of bone?
Paget’s disease is a chronic condition which interferes with your body’s normal bone remodeling process. Bone remodeling is a process in which new bone tissue gradually replaces old bone tissue. This relationship is vital to maintain normal calcium levels in our blood. Over time, the disease can cause affected bones to become fragile and misshapen. Paget’s disease of bone most … Read More
What’s the value of nuclear medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a safe, painless, and cost-effective way of gathering information that may otherwise be unavailable or require a more expensive and risky diagnostic test. One unique aspect of a nuclear medicine test is its extreme sensitivity to abnormalities in an organ’s structure or function. As an integral part of patient care, nuclear medicine is used in the diagnosis, … Read More
What is the function of an imaging test?
Diagnostic imaging lets doctors look inside your body for clues about a medical condition. A variety of machines and techniques can create pictures of the structures and activities inside your body. The type of imaging your doctor uses depends on your symptoms and the part of your body being examined. They include: X-rays CT scans Nuclear medicine scans MRI scans … Read More
Why is a radiologist’s report important?
As outlined by the American College of Radiology, there are over 15 components of a radiology report. The length of the report should have some relationship to the complexity and cost of the exam. It should have pertinent positive and negative findings and address any specific clinical concerns. All important findings need to be stated first and any incidental findings … Read More
Cost vs. Convenience — what if you could have both?
Capitol Imaging Services asks the question, “cost versus convenience — what if you could have both?” Which would you rather have in your health care: convenience or low cost? Oftentimes, when choosing one, the other is sacrificed. If you have ever had an x-ray, MRI or CT scan, you are well aware of the expense involved. However, choosing to get … Read More
Research: hospital outpatient prices much higher for identical services
According to research published by the National Institute for Health Care Reform, average hospital outpatient department prices for common imaging, colonoscopy and laboratory service can be DOUBLE THE PRICE for identical services provided in a physician’s office or other community-based setting, such as an independent provider, i.e. Diagnostic Imaging Services. Using private insurance claims data for nearly 600,000 active and … Read More
Diagnostic Imaging Services renews Image Wisely Pledge
In 2011, Capitol Imaging Services affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services, became the first independently-owned imaging organization to join the national Image Wisely campaign that promotes patient safety in medical imaging. This year, we renew that pledge. This pledge addresses concerns about medical facilities providing maximum patient safety when undergoing a test that involves ionizing radiation. Most often, this involved Computed Tomography … Read More
Diagnostic Imaging Services joins the Capitol Imaging Services affiliate network
As Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS) approaches its fifth decade of service to the greater New Orleans and southeast Louisiana regions, change often is inevitable. The only thing that stays the same is change. Over the past year, DIS has undergone its own changes in going from its own imaging organization into one that is larger and stronger. We’ve done that … Read More
Cancer center ads focus on emotions more than facts, study finds
TUESDAY, May 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) — TV and magazine ads for U.S. cancer centers are heavy on emotional appeal, but light on the facts that patients need to know, a new study finds. In an analysis of more than 400 ads that ran nationwide, researchers found that few gave objective information on cancer treatment benefits or risks. Instead, the … Read More
Did you know we perform thyroid therapy?
Courtesy of the American College of Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging Services shares a three and one-half minute presentation about therapy offered at DIS for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease or toxic goiter. The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces two hormones that regulate all aspects of the body’s metabolism, the chemical process of converting food into energy. … Read More
More information available about nuclear medicine studies completed at DIS
Say YES and spend LESS at DIS.Diagnostic Imaging Services has improved our website’s information and content regarding nuclear medicine. Medical imaging has transformed the way physicians are able to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of diseases. Moving beyond static anatomical images of the organs that only show structure, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging give physicians access to unique information … Read More
A sophisticated new diagnostic process to help people who are suffering from the effects of brain-based disorders
Considered perhaps the most complex component of the human body often misdiagnosed and mistreated, Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS) has become only the third center in the United States to offer a state-of-the-art brain study designed to provide a clearer picture of disorders from traumatic brain injury to clinical depression. In partnering with CereScan®, a Denver, CO based provider of Single … Read More
The reasons why bone scans may be deemed appropriate and necessary
What are bone scans? These tests can reveal problems in the bones caused by infection, trauma, cancer or unexplained bone pain. Bone scans are more sensitive than X-rays and can typically identify problems days or months earlier than X-rays can. According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors may order bone scans if they suspect one of the following conditions: Arthritis Avascular necrosis … Read More
Fusion/Image Merge studies added to DIS suite of services
Over the past few months, Diagnostic Imaging Services has performed numerous fusion/image merge studies. What does that mean exactly? Typically, DIS performs a nuclear medicine bone scan and a Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. Then, through post processing via computer software, images from the nuclear medicine test and either the CT or MRI are merged together … Read More