It’s a topic not many people enjoy talking about, or even thinking about. Cancer, of any kind, is complicated, and ovarian cancer is, arguably, one of the most complicated and aggressive cancers there is. About 20% of women receive an early diagnosis, and of those detected early, 94% live longer than 5 years after their diagnosis, says the American Cancer Society. Encouraging patients to get screened for early detection, paying attention to the body’s signals, and regular exams are the biggest defenses we have against this deadly disease.

 

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect, which is why it is paramount for patients to have regular pelvic exams. To help encourage patients to get the proper care for early detection, or with a new diagnosis, empower them with communication so they feel in charge, says Cancer Care. Suggesting the patient takes notes of the session will help, says the article, including dates, names, and discussion points. This will provide physical evidence of what went on during the appointment and a reference point for the possibly overwhelmed patient. Bringing a trusted friend or family member to the appointment can also ease the possible isolation or fear the patient may have. Another set of eyes and ears never hurts and the extra person may provide different questions and concerns the patient hadn’t thought of. Encouraging patients to write down questions or worries they may have before, during or after the appointment also gives the control back to the patient, says the article.

 

Persistent symptoms, even seemingly dismissible, should be examined. The fact is that ovarian cancer moves quickly, so before symptoms become worrisome, it’s important the patient knows her family history, says the American Cancer Society. If the patient has a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, has an inherited genetic syndrome, like Lynch syndrome, or a gene mutation such as BRCA, her high risk status must be presented and she must be heavily encouraged to get regular exams and to pay close attention to any changes within her body.

 

 

The two most common screening tests for ovarian cancer are the transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood test, says American Cancer Society. The sound waves used during a TVUS detects abnormal shapes or measurements, says Healthline, and is about 75% effective, which is why you may order at CT scan, MRI, or a biopsy for further testing, says the article. The CA-125 blood test is not as reliable for ovarian cancer detection because high levels of the protein may not be an indicator of ovarian cancer, per se, but of inflammatory disease or endometriosis. Unfortunately, there aren’t many sure and simple tests to detect early ovarian cancer or recommend for your patient, says the CDC. Keeping your patients aware of these options may seem alarming, but they’ll know what to expect should the concern arise.

 

Telling your patients about genetic counseling is also a good option, says WebMd. For your high risk patients, genetic counseling will give them more concrete knowledge about their own bodies and family history. Should the patient’s test come back positive of a gene mutation, you will be aware of her risks and what to look out for during exams.

 

 

Whether your patient is at high risk of ovarian cancer or not, urge them to consider regular exams and screening. There is research being done currently, says American Cancer Society, although the best and most proven way is through ultrasound and the CA-125 blood test. Reminding them you are always available if something in their body feels off, if they are in pain, or have been worried, is never a bad idea. Empower them to take charge of their health.

Teleradiology Interpretations for TVUS

Managing a healthcare practice means providing optimal care for your patients, and that includes providing the proper education and addressing patient concerns. We understand it is not always easy to balance running tests, interpretations and patient communication. That’s why Vesta has a team of US Board Certified radiologists who work with your team for preliminary and final interpretations – 24×7, nights, weekends and even holidays. Please contact us to learn more about our outsourced radiology services: 1-877-55-VESTA. 

It’s safe to say that every medical professional wants the best care and treatment for their patients. From the time a patient steps foot into a medical facility to the time he or she leaves, accuracy and timeliness are key factors in their treatment plans. But what if those two things weren’t available right away? At a diagnostic imaging center, patients put their trust into the qualified and knowledgeable team that captures and interprets the images of their bodies. With current technologies, imaging centers can do all of this on site, but what if there was an even more efficient way? Many diagnostic imaging centers, hospitals, urgent care and medical facilities are choosing teleradiology, a digital outsourcing of medical images to remote locations, and there’s a few reasons why.

 

In an article published by Science Direct, teleradiology is growing in popularity for many medical offices, hospitals, and imaging centers across the country. With the use of electronic transmission of images, x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and other specialty images can be shared to a radiologist on the spot. Because of a shortage in radiologists across the country, and globally, says Radiology Society of North America, there aren’t enough specialists to fulfill patient needs, especially those with specific needs, such as pediatric or neuro-radiology. There has been a long term burnout from COVID19 for many medical professionals, especially radiologists, and medical facilities have become creative with their job listings, making them a hybrid of in-house and remote work. Their hope is that these types of jobs will be more appealing, making teleradiology even stronger.

 

 

Teleradiology alleviates the need for a radiologist to be in the room with the patient, and allows for interpretation, collaboration, or education of an image at any time, day or night. When a patient needs a radiologist immediately, an image can be sent to a professional via LAN line, across states, or across the country for input. This kind of technology eliminates worry about staff shortages and time zones, when many emergencies could occur.  It also eliminates the need for specialists to relocate, as many rural medical facilities do not have access to radiologists on demand, according to The National Library of Medicine. During medical emergencies, difficult cases, or a time-sensitive diagnosis, as many are, teleradiology makes the process speedier than ever before.

Economically, teleradiology is a great choice as well, for both medical facilities and patients. The cost of having a radiologist on staff could be very expensive, however, with teleradiology, the cost dramatically drops because the medical institution is only charged per exam. In an article published by News Medical Life Sciences, teleradiology is an effective way to provide high-quality specialized services to patients that may not have access to them otherwise.

When choosing the technologies to provide to patients, a diagnostic imaging center may benefit the most from teleradiology, where patients can count on the speed and excellence of not only the healthcare staff present, but the specialists working hard on their cases from everywhere else.

Award-Winning Teleradiology Company: Vesta

With Vesta Teleradiology, we work alongside your team to provide accurate interpretations. Additionally, Vesta works with you in terms of the style and format of the interpretation report adapting to your center’s interpretive mode.

Over recent years, radiology has seen many advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Since medical imaging produces 90% of all healthcare data, radiologists have experienced a heavy workload for years. The COVID pandemic increased the backlog of radiologists, due to shutdowns and COVID regulations. 

Many have turned to AI as a solution to this problem, citing its numerous benefits in several aspects of imaging. AI allows radiologist departments to get more done in a shorter period of time by automating administrative tasks like paperwork, scheduling, and tracking follow-ups, while also prioritizing certain tasks for a more streamlined process. 

However AI is able to do much more than that. It can sort through data and images,  quickly giving physicians the best, most relevant information. Moreover, new AI algorithms also pick up on complex images and markers found in scans, findings that might not be visible to humans. This combination allows radiologists to run the information through an AI program for a second opinion and quicker analysis of the data.  

Examples of AI in Radiology at Work 

AI is currently being widely used in emergency medicine to alert physicians if a patient has a life-threatening condition, like a collapsed lung. The system will filter out unnecessary images and prioritize critical conditions. Additionally, physicians are using AI for stroke patients to reformat images, which allows for a faster processing time. Some of the same processes are being used for brain scans as well, choosing the most relevant images for doctors to save on overall processing time. 

Outside of critical care, AI is increasingly allowing physicians to work with other departments more efficiently. Hospitals in rural areas and less developed areas without radiology departments will be able to implement AI to flag certain images as well. 

Artificial intelligence is also playing a vital role in the field of oncology. Deep-learning methods have been employed to detect breast cancer in patients by teaching algorithms to draw connections between scans. Google is developing a CT scan that will produce 3D images of the lungs from 2D images, so cancer can be detected more efficiently. 

There has been talk of AI replacing radiologists, but many say that is not ever going to be the case. AI still has many limitations. As stated by Walach, an AI expert and developer, said “AI solutions are becoming very good at doing one thing very well. You typically have to have humans who do more than one thing really well.” 

AI developers rumor that AI will eventually replace radiologists, but Vesta has been in the radiology field long enough to know that AI, while very useful and complementary, it will never replace the keen eye and skills of radiologists. Vesta is a consultant of few AI developers and has been integrating the technology in its process, but does not rely solely on its findings.

 

 

With the help of more research studies on artificial intelligence, the field of radiology will see continued growth, allowing for precision and efficiency. However, traditional radiology and teleradiology will still require trained experts to run the AI programs and discern using their expert knowledge to ensure patients are treated with the best of care. 

Vesta Teleradiology

With Vesta Teleradiology, our US Board Certified radiologists work with you to deliver customizable, and accurate reports. At Vesta, we treat AI as not Artificial Intelligence but Augmented Intelligence to help radiologists improve the quality and efficiency of their reads. How can we help your healthcare facility?

The fitness and wellness industry has become one of the biggest markets in the world. If you are the owner of a women’s health or wellness center, there is great potential for growth in this $3.4 trillion industry. This competitive industry is constantly creating new approaches to attract patients. If you are searching for new ideas to enhance your wellness center and the care for your patients, here are 5 tips for increasing patient flow.

1. Offer educational workshops and speakers. Being able to have a cup of coffee and listen to an informed speaker on a subject of interest can bring in more patients. Those who want to help themselves or improve their life will like this approach. Stress-free opportunities to listen and learn about money management, cooking, gardening, yoga, fashion, or more could entice women with enjoying a nonthreatening space to absorb information. These could be mini-breakout sessions of an upcoming wellness conference which may interest participants to attend.
2. Bundle services. Having one facility that offers multiple services is attractive. Women are busy. Their time is valuable. If there was an opportunity to make one stop to take care of a mammogram, pedicure, and haircut (for example) many women would like this option. In addition, having a nonjudgmental environment to talk to a therapist on a variety of topics such as mental health issues, menopause, and sexual health could bring in more patients.
3. Act as a safehouse. Employing experienced professionals who have the awareness and abilities to support women in crisis is needed in every city in the world. Doctors, psychologists, and lawyers on site who are in place to readily protect and prevent violence against women and their children will attract patients. Partnering with local authorities may bring wellness center funding opportunities.
4. Incorporate wellness retreats. Offering purposeful, affordable, well designed retreats for specific groups allows wellness opportunities beyond the wellness center facility. Programs organized with the intentional components of mental, emotional, physical, and social can provide transformational experiences for patients. These deep connections can be life changing and create interest in future retreats.
    
5. Outsource your radiology imaging needs to a reliable teleradiology service. With this service, a patient can have her mammogram, ultrasound, or other imaging service performed, screened, and sent digitally to all parties involved. The image and its information is compressed and encrypted and stored in a database server accessed by the radiologist, provider, transcriber, and other workers across geographically diverse facilities. The final report is automatically sent to the doctor and the original facility. This saves time and allows you to focus more on attracting new patients.

Vesta Teleradiology has been assisting Women’s Wellness centers, hospitals, mobile imaging, assisted living and other diagnostic imaging centers for nearly 15 years. It’s not just our speedy service and accurate readings from US Board Certified radiologists, it’s our ability to help you customize the service to tailor it to your facility and patients. Look to Vesta if you want accuracy, speed, affordability, support and customization.

Vesta Teleradiology, is pleased to announce the industry’s first ‘Three Year Rate Guarantee.’

Imaging facilities are facing tremendous financial pressure with falling reimbursements, stricter billing requirements and consumerism of healthcare. In this environment of reduced profit margins, Vesta is announcing the industry’s first, ‘Three Year Rate Guarantee’ to all current and new clients.

Vesta’s Three Year Rate Guarantee: All Vesta clients will never pay more than the initial agreement rate, for a minimum of 3 years.

 

“Hospitals, Urgent Care Centers, Imaging Centers and Mobile X-Ray providers are seeing reduced profit margins, in part due to reductions in insurance reimbursements. In an effort to provide these service providers with price stability, we are pleased to offer the industry’s first rate guarantee,” stated Vijay Vonguru, President of Vesta Teleradiology.

“In addition, to this Industry First Rate Guarantee, Vesta is reviewing additional ways for our clients to contain costs while we continue to provide the high level of service our clients receive,” Vijay added.

About Vesta Teleradiology:

Vesta brings you teleradiology solutions and services, providing 24x7x365 access to our highly qualified Board Certified radiologists through a secure PACS. At Vesta, we offer comprehensive, affordable radiology solutions for our partners. Vesta has been a pioneer in supportive diagnostic workflow technology and quality diagnostic services. We are steadfast in our passion to remain at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. We offer night and holiday coverage.

Prospective clients are offered a free test drive of Vesta’s teleradiology service. Please contact us to schedule a demo.

Vesta Teleradiology has announced the launch of a new blog covering trending topics of interest in radiology such as ICD-10, Meaningful Use, Ultrasound scans in Primary Care settings, Interoperability, Affordable Care Act, and the latest developments in the radiology industry.

The blog, vestarad.com/mediablog/blog has posts and articles from radiologists and other staff members of Vesta Teleradiology discussing the implications of the various healthcare reforms on hospitals, radiology practices and other healthcare providers and organizations.

According to the firm, the blog is meant to provide a wealth of information and initiate a dialogue with healthcare professionals, experts and industry leaders and to make it easier to spread information. The firm will also be posting the updates on its social media channels such as Twitter and LinkedIn, and send out newsletters at specific intervals for those who haven’t followed their Twitter or LinkedIn pages. Visitors can also subscribe to the blog and receive all the updates via e-mail.

 

“The blog is a part of our overall shift towards a more active social media presence – Twitter and LinkedIn in particular. The move is an attempt to facilitate the dissemination of information to our audience such as healthcare professionals, radiologists and keep them up to date with developments and industry stories that matter to them,” said Vijay Vonguru, President at Vesta Teleradiology.

 

“The new blog will be vetted for quality and relevancy, and will be curated to add value to our readers,” added Vonguru.

About Vesta Teleradiology:

Vesta brings you teleradiology solutions and services, providing 24x7x365 access to our highly qualified Board Certified radiologists through a secure PACS. At Vesta, we offer comprehensive, affordable radiology solutions for our partners. Vesta has been a pioneer in supportive diagnostic workflow technology and quality diagnostic services. We are steadfast in our passion to remain at the forefront of innovation in healthcare.

Prospective clients are offered a free test drive of Vesta’s teleradiology service. For more information please visit https://vestarad.com.

Vesta Teleradiology releases a white paper, entitled “How to Make Your Transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 a Seamless One,” for the purposes of providing guidance to physician practices as they prepare to transition and “go live” with ICD-10 on October 1st.

The white paper located at vestarad.com/mediablog/blog incorporates preparatory practices as well as answers to common questions for those practices who have found themselves less than adequately prepared for the transition. The white paper provides those all-important answers that will allow those practices whom are not quite prepared to continue to bill under old ICD-9 codes and be reimbursed, so long as specific criteria are met. Specific guidance is delineated in the white paper.

Vijay Vonguru, President, Vesta Teleradiology, knows how apprehensive many providers are feeling about going from some 13,000 diagnostic codes to 69,000 codes, but states that “in the end the changes are for the betterment of patients and providers alike, in that it will serve to streamline referrals and approvals on diagnostic testing, as well as gather epidemiological data” and “this information should hopefully alleviate some of the resistance surrounding the upcoming transition”.

For those practices who having done the hard work and started last year in preparation for the transition, with tutorials for their physician, billing and ancillary staff, coordination with their vendors of EMR software and technical support: Kudos to them and their teams as they are one step ahead of the game. There is still some time for preparation, and utilizing the tips provided in the white paper will help the practices prepare for the October 1st deadline!

 

About Vesta Teleradiology:

Vesta offers teleradiology solutions and services, providing 24x7x365 access to their highly qualified Board Certified Radiologists through a secure PACS.

Vesta has been a pioneer in supportive diagnostic workflow technology and quality diagnostic services. The team is steadfast in their passion to remain at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. Prospective clients are offered a free test drive of Vesta’s teleradiology service.