LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
Mutant x-ray vision was never used to diagnose bone fractures and breaks, or assisted pregnant women and their babies, or checked internal organs, day in and day out.
Therefore, by the Scientific Method, the Airmen of the 1st Medical Support Squadron Diagnostic Imaging clinic are better than Superman can ever be.
Every day, the clinic, formerly known as Radiology, serves men and women in need of help. To most accurately determine the problem in the shortest amount of time without actually cutting someone open and taking a peek, medicine turns to equipment that can see through the human body with minimal to zero intrusion.
The clinic, full of specialized and expensive equipment, operated by a staff of highly-trained young men and women, does just that every day.
“We do various scans x-rays, computed tomography, ultrasound, and mammography to determine (bone) fractures, fetal abnormalities, internal organ injuries, chest abnormalities like lung cancer and pneumonia, as well as breast cancer” said Diagnostic Imaging Superintendent Master Sgt. Angela Baldwin.
A large amount of scans the clinic performs is in search and determination of cancer, analyzing cysts, tumors and growths. The equipment in the clinic uses two major forces of nature to do these and all other scans: sound waves and x-rays. With these forces bombarding tissue and bone, technologists can scan and photograph the internal structures of the human body with minimal invasive techniques.
While most procedures performed in the clinic involve no physical intrusion, a very small percent utilizes other equipment to assist in further diagnosing the body. Though intrusive, they are small. For example, to assist in digestive assessments, the patient may drink barium, a contrast material that shows up in scans, so doctors can see tissues too soft for the equipment to detect. The barium flows through these organs and absorbs x-rays to create a bright picture of the organs, and a viable tool for health assessment.
Not only have they used chemicals to help their equipment see in the body, but they also use it to operate the equipment. The Diagnostic Imaging department still uses chemical processors to produce proper images, which will be going away with the arrival of additional advanced digital picture archiving later this year.
“By the end of next year we plan to be fully digital,” said Sergeant Baldwin. “This allows medical providers to visualize images quickly and clearly. These same images will allow in-depth analysis and will add the capability of instantly sharing information with other medical professionals in remote areas.”
Digital imaging differs greatly from conventional imaging, where technicians can take only one picture at a time with large cuts of film and relies on hazardous chemicals for processing. The new imaging is fast and accurate. It can reduce the entire process time by up to 20 Percent.
Tech. Sgt. Mark Martinez, non-commissioned officer in charge of Digital Imaging, has charge of the image management system, known as the Picture Archiving Communications System. Currently, he is instrumental in the transition to an all-digital Diagnostic Imaging department.
While PACS is an important part of his job, he places customers above technology.
“The most important thing is to ensure the active duty force and their dependents stay healthy,” said Sergeant Martinez. “While doing that, I do my best in emphasizing customer service to my troops.”
“I treat customers as I would want my own family to be treated.”
Sergeant Martinez holds monthly meetings with staff to emphasize the importance of service to the customer, no matter where they come from.
“The best part of my job is making a positive impact on helping the troops,” said Sergeant Baldwin. “We are going to give the best care possible, and always emphasize to our techs emphasize the importance of putting themselves in the patient’s shoes and remembering how they feel.”
Like the rest of the hospital, the clinic keeps customer service a high priority. While some could consider it a chore, others find it a goal.
“Best part about this job is getting to meet new people,” said Senior Airman Gregory Ford, a clinic technician. “I’m a people person, and I like to help people figure out what’s going on with them.”
The importance of his work was realized when Airman Ford’s actions directly assisted in saving someone’s life.
“I was performing a CT Scan when I found that the patient was bleeding in their brain,” said Airman Ford. “We were able to immediately get the patient taken care of, narrowly saving his life.”
The value of the technology, the skill of the Airmen and the heart of the staff show daily in their work. They do a job needed, not only because it’s needed, but because of the value of a human life.
“Our biggest impact,” said Sergeant Martinez, “is the benefit of providing doctors the ability to more accurately diagnose and treat symptoms. It feels good to be part of a team that helps the patient.”