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Diagnostic Imaging Advancements
REVOLUTIONIZING TRAUMA CARE WITH ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY
Thanks to a generous donation of over $270,000 from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, St. John’s Health acquired four new point-of-care ultrasound units. These advanced tools improve access to imaging care at multiple locations, including the Teton Village Urgent Care, The Birth Center, and Emergency Department.
The ultrasound units are primarily used for “focused assessment with sonography for trauma” (FAST), providing rapid and accurate internal imaging for trauma cases. Urgent Care Nurse Lead Jenifer Hoover shares,
The ultrasound has been instrumental for assessing possible organ trauma after falls and guiding resuscitation efforts during cardiac events. It has significantly improved our ability to provide timely care, especially in settings without CT scans.
St. John’s Health was one of many hospitals in Wyoming to benefit from a statewide initiative funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust, which provided nearly $13.9 million for ultrasound technology and training across the state.
NEW CT SCANNER AT ST. JOHN’S HEALTH ENHANCES EMERGENCY CARE
At St. John’s Health, rapid access to a CT scanner can be lifesaving for patients facing emergencies such as hemorrhages, blood clots, or potential cancer diagnoses. The first hour is critical, as timely action significantly improves survival rates and reduces the risk of long-term complications.
Previously, St. John’s Health relied on a single CT scanner—one of the busiest in the region, operating 24 hours a day and handling 35-45 scans daily. Even a few hours of downtime led to delays in crucial imaging, increasing patient risks and placing considerable stress on staff and referring providers who depend on fast diagnoses.
To address this need, St. John’s Health Foundation appealed to the community, and thanks to your generosity, a second CT scanner was acquired in early 2024.
The additional CT scanner is a game-changer for both our team and our patients,” says Tiffany Logan, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at St. John’s Health. “It not only eases the demand on our staff and equipment but also dramatically improves patient outcomes by reducing wait times and providing immediate access to life-saving imaging. The importance of timely, accurate diagnoses cannot be overstated.
The new CT scanner is equipped with Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D Enhanced (AIDR 3D Enhanced), PUREViSION Optics, and the PUREViSION detector, which ensure excellent image quality while minimizing radiation exposure. The scanner also includes metal artifact reduction software, which enhances image clarity even for patients with metal implants.
ADVANCING SWALLOW STUDIES WITH SPEECH PATHOLOGY
Last summer, the Speech Pathology team at St. John’s Health proudly acquired the TIMS MVP, a state-of-the art medical video recording system for modified barium swallow studies. Thanks to the generous support of St. John’s Health Foundation, this technology enables advanced assessments of swallowing function for patients of all ages.
Swallowing disorders can affect anyone—from newborns struggling with feeding to adults recovering from strokes and elderly individuals with age-related issues,” says Kate Wienman, Director of Rehabilitation Services. “These conditions can lead to serious complications like pneumonia or malnutrition, so having this technology allows us to provide timely and effective treatments in our community.
The TIMS MVP system is the gold standard for recording and interpreting swallow studies. It captures high-quality, real-time images of the swallowing process, allowing the speech therapy team to diagnose disorders more precisely and develop personalized treatment plans.
This vital enhancement to patient care is made possible by our generous donors, who support St. John’s Health’s commitment to innovative healthcare solutions.
