Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has upgraded its breast imaging services with the installation of six Full Field Digital Mammography systems from Siemens Healthcare.
Doncaster and Bassetlaw said that two Mammomat Inspiration units have already been installed in the Jasmine Suite at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and are currently being used in the examination of symptomatic patients. The further four units are due to be delivered throughout the year; two at Bassetlaw District General Hospital for screening and symptomatic work and two at the Cameo Breast Screening Unit in Doncaster.
The Mammomat Inspiration combines patient comfort, easy operator handling and high quality images for a more confident diagnosis. The installations at Doncaster mark the Breast Service’s move from analogue to digital radiography and as a result, examinations are smoother and faster with more detailed images for review. One of the systems also features a biopsy application.
Each unit at Doncaster is equipped with a MoodLight feature that emits soothing colours into the examination area to transform the diagnostic environment. The Jasmine Suite has selected a palette of warm colours on a slow change cycle, which is helping to create a calming atmosphere for patients in the new, larger screening rooms.
According to Doncaster and Bassetlaw, in addition to the relaxing screening rooms, patients are also undergoing more comfortable examinations due to the Inspiration’s intelligent Opcomp function, which stops the breast compression at the optimal point to achieve the best image quality while reducing patient discomfort. The material composition of the paddles also provides a warm and smooth feeling.
Margery Maughan, senior radiographer at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, said: “The move to digital mammography has delivered a number of benefits, most noticeably the automated functionality of the Inspiration system. Now that the technology has streamlined and simplified the examination process, we are able to spend more time talking to the patient, which in symptomatic cases is key as the examination can be very anxiety-provoking. Our repeat patients have already commented that the examinations are far more comfortable another plus!”
Sarah Sandhu, regional sales manager at Siemens Healthcare, said: “The combination of improved image quality, ease-of-use and unique MoodLight feature make the Inspiration a great addition to breast care facilities, giving benefits to both staff and patients. We look forward to seeing how this will change patient care when all six systems are operational later in the year.”