Mammography Screenings Resume in North Berkshire
 Deb Corkins explains how the new GE Essential mammography machine works on Monday. BMC restarted mammogram screenings at its Northern Berkshire Campus. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It didn't take long for women to learn they could get mammography screenings in North County.
The new GE Essentials machine went online Monday. It's booked out well into January.
Mammography in the restored imaging department doesn't officially open until Monday, Dec. 1, but word of mouth and doctor's referrals were enough to get the "soft launch" of the new equipment up and running this week and begin filling up the Monday through Friday schedule.
Some of the traffic is regular, some a reaction to the closure of North Adams Regional Hospital nearly eight months ago. Those patients have been waiting to do their screenings closer to home.
"They are so happy to be back, so happy everything is being opened here," said radiology technologist Deb Corkins, a 38-year veteran of NARH who has returned north after a stint at BMC. "They were all worried about the travel mostly."
Corkins is a familiar face at the former hospital, one of many who have slowly been making their return as Berkshire Medical Center restores outpatient services. She's joined in imaging by North Adams resident Debra DeGray, who had been working at BMC in Pittsfield.
"It's one thing I've noticed since I started up here is how important it is for these patients coming in to have a familiar face and just get that comfort level for them and know they're in good hands," said John Gable, operations manager for imaging. "It's nice to see folks who are quality employees coming back and working with Berkshire Medical Center and bringing their expertise and their interaction with the community up here.
"It's just a win-win situation."
BMC has been working on ensuring continuity of care, both through the rehiring and training of former hospital employees and in bringing the equipment, software and procedures into alignment with the Pittsfield hospital.
Some $6 million is being invested in the North Berkshire campus, including the brand-new ditigal GE mammography machine.
"We did a pretty intense analysis of all the equipment and looking at what equipment was close to or at the end of life," Gable said. "The GE Essential has the same platform, same software [as used at BMC] This will allow our radiologist to look on one computer at all comparisons."
The new unit uses lower doses of radiation than the old film versions and provides a clearer and more detailed picture. It is reportedly more comfortable — or at least not as uncomfortable as the older analog procedure.
"It's really important for our radiologists for continuity of interpretation," Gable said. "It was a long process. I think people worked really hard in getting it approved through the state and getting it just right. We want to make sure when we offer these services, they're to the highest standard."
Restoring mammography screenings required state and federal licensing, a process that took a number of months to clear despite BMC's existing track record.
"I know it seems like a long period of time and it's a complex process but I think its a good process that ensures patient safety," said BMC spokesman Michael Leary. Both Leary and Gable credited state officials, particularly Secretary of Health and Human Services John Polanowicz in keeping the licensing at the top of the list. "I think the state really did do a great job of helping us to expedite these services," Leary said.
Only regular screenings are currently being done at the facility; diagnostic screenings are still being done in Pittsfield. Gable said he expects about 20 patients a day, or 100 a week, to be screened during the department's weekday hours once its up and running.
"The vast majority of mammography is the annual screening and we thought it was important to open that service here in North Berkshire to fill the gap that was left by the closure of the hospital," Leary said.
The opening of mammography in the imaging department is the latest step by BMC in returning a host of medical services to the North Berkshire community since taking control of the property in late August.
The Satellite Emergency Facility opened in early summer; imaging continues to add on services, including BMC's buyout of the large-bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-speed computed tomography (CT) scanner leases that had been held by NARH.
 The digital image can be read by a radiologist in Pittsfield. Using the same equipment and technology allows doctors at the four facilities, including BMC, Hillcrest and Fairvew, to access records. |
Endoscopy reopened earlier this month and orthopedic outpatient surgery expected to resume in the first quarter of the year with Orthopedic Associates of Northern Berkshire, which has been operating out of BMC.
Renovations of the urology and cardiology offices are under way, along with other renovations in the Clark House and Doctors Building. Berkshire VNA & Hospice is also expected to return to the campus at some point.
As for inpatient, BHS's board of director is still evaluating whether to pursue the federal Critical Access designation considered necessary to sustain a community hospital.
"I know that they are examining a wide range of factors ... it's a very complex process, it's a very long process and we're really examining the needs of North Berkshire when it comes to inpatient services versus outpatient services," Leary said.
While there's a drumbeat for restoration of the hospital, Corkins said the community is grateful for what's already been done.
"They're so appreciative that we're getting things back — a few at a time, that's OK. That's what they want to see: Progress."
As for herself being back: "I'm ecstatic."
Tags: BMC North, imaging, screenings,
