Capital Health Plan

Digital & DEXA

CHP's Newest High-Tech Imaging

If it is amazing for family snapshots, imagine what it does for mammography. "It" is a digital (computerized) image: fast, sharp, and instantaneously available. Soon, if you have a mammogram, x-ray, or ultrasound at Capital Health Plan, the image will be produced immediately.

The health benefits, of course, are the reason for our digital revolution. Here is why these advances make such a difference.

What Digital Imaging Allows

Digital imaging means that your computerized radiology tests are processed quickly, viewed on special high-resolution monitors, and stored in a databank, which allows secure, protected transmittal.

Lisa H. Rawlings, M.D., practices at CHP's Mammography Center. A board-certified radiologist with additional fellowship training in breast imaging at Northwestern University, Dr. Rawlings explains, "A registered radiologic technician takes the picture--x-ray, ultrasound, or mammogram--which the radiologist then reviews for diagnosis and recommendation.

"The advantages of digital imaging include decreased wait times for x-rays and faster access to the studies. The radiologist can read them sooner. The images can also be recalled easily and sent securely to the patient's physician, along with the radiologist's report."

Special Benefits for Mammography

CHP will use the new equipment for both screening and diagnostic procedures. On the cutting edge, digital mammography is better at detecting breast cancer in women:

• under age 50
• of any age with very dense breasts
• of any age who are pre- or perimenopausal

For all women, Dr. Rawlings says, digital mammograms can prevent many repeat appointments. "Because the radiologist can adjust images for brightness and contrast, reading is improved. That minimizes calling patients back for a diagnostic mammogram." When a mammogram is diagnostic (not a routine screening), the speed of digital imaging also relieves the anxiety of waiting for results: the radiologist discusses the findings with the patient during the appointment.

True Readings of Bones and Fat

DEXA scanning, a brand new service at CHP, is another way of bringing members convenient benefits. Typical DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) measures bone density, but CHP'sstate-of-the-artinstrument does even more: It analyzes full body composition to reveal percentage of body fat.

A seemingly healthy woman may be hiding something from sight: porous, thinning bones that could snap from a slight fall. Osteoporosis, thinning of bones to a spongy texture, has no symptoms until a fracture happens. The excellent news is that treatments today can not only stop thinning but actually rebuild bone...if a woman or man knows of the condition.

DEXA scanning is the most effective, precise method for measuring bone loss. CHP is happy to announce the availability of this new service for our members, with referral from your PCP, who will assess your risk factors and need for the test.

The new equipment has the added advantage of analyzing full body composition-yielding actual percentage of body fat. The actual percentage of body fat, Dr. Rawlings explains, is moreaccurate than a BMI (body mass index) calculation: "Some people might have a normal BMI, but their percentage of body fat could still be out of range. They may need to add muscle and lose fat. In an opposite case, a person may have a high BMI, suggesting the need to lose weight. But the person may be 'bigboned,' or verymuscular, with a normal percentage of body fat-no need to lose weight. That's what this study can tell us." More accurate information, more quickly, more comfortably: There's a snapshot of the benefits that digital imaging and DEXA bring CHP members and physicians. A nice picture, isn't it?

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