Diagnostic & Imaging Services

To schedule diagnostic and imaging services, please call (720) 225-1620. For your convenience, Ultrasounds and CTs are available Monday through Friday until 7:00 p.m. and CTS may be scheduled on Saturday from 8:00 until 11:00 a.m.

 

Cardiac CATH Lab

A patient that is having chest pain or other possible heart-related symptoms may visit our CATH Lab. This state-of-the-art, digital imaging machine is used to view vessels in the heart to detect blockages.

 

If a blockage is discovered, an angioplasty (inserting a balloon-tipped catheter to unblock it) or stent procedure (the insertion of a stent to keep the blood vessel open) will be performed.

 

CAT Scan

The LightSpeed 16 CT, expands Multi-slice CT Scanning technology from eight to 16 slices per rotation. Lightspeed 16 incorporates breakthrough innovations that deliver speed with sub-millimeter resolution, and effective dose optimization to push clinical applications to new levels. GE's exclusive 'Color Coding for Kids' makes it easy for imaging centers to comply with guidelines regarding scanning pediatric patients. Based on the Broselow-Luten Pediatric System to facilitate emergency care and reduce medical errors, LightSpeed 16 pediatric scan protocols are color-coded according to each child's weight and size. This helps eliminate guesswork and reduces radiation dose errors, while allowing technologists to spend more time with the each pediatric patient.

 

Interventional Radiology Lab

A patient that is having vascular symptoms (problems with blood flow) may benefit from having an angiography. This examination looks at the blood vessels using x-rays following the injection of a radiopaque substance.

 

Sky Ridge Medical Center's Interventional Radiology Lab uses a machine called the Advantx. This state-of-the-art, digital, high-tech, high-definition machine has the most up-to-date software in the nation.

 

It allows for bi-plane and 3-dimensional views (which means you can see a front and side image at the same time).

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most advanced diagnostic tools available in medicine today. MRI uses no radiation, is painless and there are no know side effects. Remarkably detailed cross-sectional images of your body can be obtained to help your physician diagnose your condition. For some this early detection can mean treatment of a disease without the need for more risky procedures.

 

The MRI consists of a large doughnut-shaped magnet surrounding a bed on which you'll lie. It uses two naturally occurring forces, radio waves and a magnetic filed produced by the magnet. The combination of these two forces causes the body to return a similar signal that the MRI computer is able to receive. The computer analyzes this information and creates numerous images of your body for the radiologist to interpret. Your scan will be performed by a Registered Technologist who has advanced training in MRI scanning.

 

Your study consists of several series and may take from 30 to 60 minutes to complete. You will be made comfortable on our padded table before then moving into the magnet. To ensure your comfort, the inside is well-lit and ventilated and is always open on both ends. During the exam you need do nothing except lie quietly during each series of pictures as movement will blur the images. Your technologist will stay in voice and visual contact with you at all times to keep you aware of when the imaging will start and how long each set will last. It is entirely normal if you feel warmth or slight vibrations during the exam. You will hear knocking or thumping sounds as the system scans and you will be provided ear-protection to lessen this noise. You are welcome to be accompanied into the scan-room by a family member or friend if you're anxious, though they too will be asked some screening questions to assure their safety in the MRI.

 

You will be asked to review a list of possible items that are implanted that could prevent us from performing your study. Please inform the staff of any type of mechanical or electronic device, metallic implants, shrapnel or if you've done metal work such as grinding or welding with your eyes unprotected. Don't hesitate to ask about any other items you may have questions about. Before your exam, you'll be asked to remove all loose metal objects and any clothing with metal near the area to be scanned. You'll be provided with a locked safe-box for your valuables.

 

Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACs)

The PACs process began 18 months before Sky Ridge opened its doors. We employed a team approach that involved radiologists, other specialty physicians and administration. The team thoroughly researched PACs to understand what the technology offers in terms of work- flow, dissemination of information, patient care and costs. Then we established a vision for our hospital.

 

Goals of PACs

Our first goal was similar to most facilities. We wanted efficient, fairly intuitive image distribution for our referring physicians. This enhances their workflow and speeds patient care. We knew PACs also could help with technologists’ and nurses’ workflow by cutting down on the number of repeat studies and other workflow interruptions.

 

PACs at Sky Ridge Medical Center

The new system was installed in the six weeks prior to the hospital opening. Pivotal workstations were deployed the week before the hospital opened, and some were added in the initial days after opening, with a current total of 40 workstations throughout the hospital. Diagnostic PACs workstations running Centricity software are located in the radiology, cardiology and ER departments and at our group's sister hospitals and corporate off-site reading center. The entire hospital, including ICUs, clinical wards, conference rooms and medical office building, is connected to PACs There is also PACs in the OR suites; we don't print film for surgery. In fact, of the 800-plus referring physicians we currently serve, we only print film for three physicians who need it because they perform surgery at non-PACs sites. Other clinicians view images electronically, or we provide images on CD-ROM and fax a report from the MediTech RIS.

 

In the six months since the hospital opened, our enterprise PACs has worked out exceptionally well. It's seamlessly integrated into the network, and allowed us to staff the hospital very efficiently. Our virtually paperless system is also working flawlessly. Techs rely on paper requisitions for transport, but use a portable scanner and a scanning program to convert the bit-map into DICOM and attach requisitions to patient jackets within the PACs.

The Sky Ridge Imaging Center at Castle Rock

Sky Ridge is pleased to extend our family
into Castle Rock
The Sky Ridge Imaging Center and Physician Offices at Castle Rock. Now Open!
1175 S. Perry St, Castle Rock
(720) 225-1540
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